O  LIBftARSES  ^ 


c/^ a.^yK/^ J^cz^n  /?  ^^/- 


LIFE 


OP 


ELDER  MARK  FERNALD, 


WRITTEN  BY  HIMSELF. 


WITH   AN   INTRODUCTION^   BY   THE   PUBLISHERS. 


NEWBURYPORT  : 
PUBLISHED  BY  GEO.  iMOORE  PAYNE,  AND  D.  P.  PIKE. 

PHILADELPHIA  .* 
CHRISTIAN  GENERAL  BOOK  CONCERN:  J  R.  FREESE,  AGENT, 

1852. 


/^ 


93  S,  9JI 


Entered  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1852, 

By  G.  M.  PAYNE  AND  D.  P.  PIKE, 

In  the  Clerk's  Office  of  the  District  Court  of  Massachusetts. 


/^/5^5^ 


WILLIAM  H.  HUSE,  PRINTER  : 

DAILY  EVENING  UNION   PRESS,   NEWBURYPORT. 


s 

o  TO   THE    MEMBERS 

OF  THE 

fmt  Cliristian  Cjitirrti  ml  §m\\] 

IN  KITTERY,  MAINE, 

AND  TO  THE 

CHURCHES  OF  THE  CHRISTIAN  CONNECTION  GENERALLl 

THIS  VOLUME 
IS    RESPECTFULLY   INSCRIBED, 

A3  A  TOKEN  OF  THE 

HIGH  ESTEEM  AND  SINCERE  AFFECTIOX 

OF 

THE    PUBLISHERS. 


9 


CONTENTS. 


INTRODUCTION. 

Page 
By  the  Publishers, 9 

CHAPTER   I. 
Birth — Parentage— Early  Education,        -.-.-...  13 

CHAPTER   II. 
Ilis  Conviction — Conversion  to  God — Baptism,        --.....19 

CHAPTER   III. 

His  call  to  the  Slinistry — Ordination— Hand  of  Fellowship  at  Kittery,  Maine.      -      26 

CHAPTER    IV. 
Success  of  his  Early  Slinistry  in  several  towns  in  the  immediate  vicinity  of  Kitteiy 
— Visit  to  Salisbury,  Massachusetts — Amesbury  MUls — Opposition  there — Tour 
North,  &c., 33 

CHAPTER   V. 

Visit  to  Wolf  borough  and  vicinity — A  glorious  work  of  grace  commences — ^Attends 
a  Free-will  Baptist  Quarterly  Meeting,  at  Sandwich — Returns  to  Wolf  borough, 
and  remains  in  that  vicinity,  seeing  much  of  the  power  of  God — Organizes  a 
Church  at  Wolf  borough,  New  Hampshire — Returns  to  Kittery,        -        -        -      42 

CHAPTER    VI. 

Visits  Massachusetts — Takes  an  Eastern  Tour — Returns  to  Essex  County,  Massa- 
chusetts— Opposition  at  Salem — A  cow  forced  into  the  Meeting  House — Attends 
a  General  Meeting  at  Candia,  New  Hampshire,  and  joins  with  the  Ministers  of 
the  Christian  Tonnection- Fights  the  Devil  at  a  Quarterly  Meeting — Travels 
extensively,  and  closes  Eighteen  Hundred  and  Twelve,  -  -  ...  49 
1* 


vi  CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER   VII. 

1813  and  1814— Tour  East— Frequent  labors  in  the  vicinity  of  Wolf  borough,  New 
Hampshire,  aud  Portland,  Maine— llevival  in  Kittery— Opposition— Several 
Meetings  until  Sunrise — Declines  gathering  a  Church  at  New  Gloucester,  Maine 
—Reasons  for  laboring  with  the  Free-will  Baptists— Tour  South— General  Meet- 
ing at  Cumberland,  Rhode  Island — Visits  Newton,  New  Hampshire — Effects  of 
the  War  upon  the  morals  of  the  people  at  Kittery, 57 

CHAPTER   VIII. 
Extensive  Itinerancy  continued— Several  important  General  Meetings— Frequent 
Conversions  ai^d  Baptisms— His  Father's  Death,  and  Sermon  at  his  Burial,  by 
j;iias  Smith— Distressing  sickness  among  the  people  of  Kittery,        ...       69 

CHAPTER   IX. 

Becomes  acquainted  with  Joseph  Badger  and  John  L.  Peavey— Visits  Salem,  Mas- 
sachusetts, -and  assists  in  the  Ordination  of  Moses  Ilowe — A  Tour  to  Rhode 
Island  and  Connecticut— Ordination  of  Joshua  Perkins  and  Nathan  Burlingame 
— General  Conference  at  Windham,  Connecticut— Meeting  at  Deerfield,  and 
General  Conference  at  Candia,  New  Hampshire— Death  of  his  Mother,        -        -     79 


CHAPTER  X. 
Baptism  at  Farmington,  New  Hampshire — A  severely  cold  Friday,  February'"14th, 
1817 — Baptizes  when  quite  sick — Visits  New  Hampshire — Attends  a  General 
Meeting  at  New  Dui'ham — Becomes  acquainted  with  0.  E.  MorriU — A  hail  storm 
— ^Attacked  by  a  Preacher  at  Wolf  borough — Speaks  out  on  the  subject  of  Tem- 
perance,       -..----------- 


95 


CHAPTER    XI. 

Attends  the  Free-M'ill  Baptist  Yearly  Meeting — Spiritual  Anniversary — Eighteen 
Hundred  and  Eighteen  commences  with  a  Revival — A  Saved  Family — Becomes 
Pastor  of  the  York  Church — Meets  with  fanatics  called  Cochranites — Tour  East 
— Reflections  upon  the  phrase  "  Unbounded  love  of  God  " — Conference  at  Gil- 
manton.  New  Hampshire — Tour  into  Vermont  and  Canada — Meets  another  class 
of  fanatics  called  Osgoodites — A  Solemn  Death  Scene — Conference  at  Ports- 
mouth, New  Hampshire,        ---...-...  109 

CHAPTER  XII. 
Tour  into  Massachusetts— Baptizes  a  cripple,  at  New  Castle,  New  Hampshire — 
Tour  East — Conference  at  Cornville,  Maine — Meets  with  Lorenzo  Dow — Confer- 
ence at  Allenstown,  New  Hampshire— Tour  South— Meets  with  Daniel  Hix— 
Conference  at  ^Vindham,  Connecticut — IMscataqua  River  frozen  over — Tour 
North— Meeting  at  Andover,  New  Hanipf^liire —Jesse  Thomps(m  Ordained — Con- 
ference at  New  Bedford— Charles  Morgridge  Ordained — Meeting  at  Westerly, 
Rhode  Island—A  severe  sickness— Closes  Eighteen  Hundred  a  n 


CONTENTS.  Vll 

CHAPTER   XIII. 
Tour  into  New  Hampshire— David  Swett  Ordained— Meeting  at  Boscawen,  New 
Hampshire— Great  Revival  at  I- astport— Tour  to  New  York— General  Conference 
at  Greenville,  New  York— Conferences  at  Gilford,  New  Hampshire,  and  Free- 
town, Massachusetts— Brethren  ri.  Swett  and  S .  Young  received  into  Conference,  154 


CHAPTER   XIV. 

Baptizing  at  New  Castle— Conference  at  Boscawen— Tour  to  New  York— United 
States  Conference— New  Hampshire  Conference— J.  H.  Nutter  and  J.  Winkley 
Ordained— Married  to  Jane  .-tevens— Baptism  at  Sahsbury  Point,  Massachusetts 
—Conference  at  Loudon— Henry  Plummer  Ordained— Several  General  Meetings,  175 


CHAPTER   XV. 

Severe  Trials— Asa  MerriU  Ordained— Church  organized  at  Rye,  New  Hampshire— 
J  T,  G.  Colby  and  J.  Flanders  Ordained— Tour  to  New  York— United  States 
Conference— Item  of  Discipline— J.  Davis  and  T.  Cole  Ordained— Meeting  at 
Lebanon,  and  P,  Reynolds  Ordained— A  Revival  at  Kittery,        -        -        -        -  195 


CHAPTER   XVI. 

Revival  at  Ivittery— J.  Goodwin  Ordained— Conference  at  Allenstown— Tour  North 
— Conference  at  Boscawen — Maine  Conference  at  Monmouth — Tour  South — 
Attends  several  General  Meetings — Prospects  of  the  Christians,        -        -        -     222 


CHAPTER   XVII. 
Death  of  Elder  John  Osborne— Attends  several  Conferences— Samuel  E.  Brown 
Ordained — Extensive  labor  in  the  cau>e  of  Temperance — New  Hampshire  Benev- 
olent Society  commences — Journey  to  New  York — Convention  at  Broadalbin, 
New  York— General  Book  Association  Organized, 237 

CHAPTER  XVIII. 
Eastern  Christian  Publishing  Association  Organized — Murder  by  Rum — New 
Hampshire  Benevolent  Society  completes  its  Organization — Death  of  Robert 
Foster— Tour  East— New  Hampshire  Conference  at  Barnstead— R.  B.  Davis  Or- 
dained—General Meetings  in  New  Hampshire — S.  Brown  and  T.  F,  Alexander 
Ordained — Visits  Lowell,  Massachusetts — Luke  ^A'aldron  Ordained,        -        -        263 

CHAPTER   XIX. 

D.  Wiggin  Ordained — Revival  and  Baptism  at  TVolfborough — Death  of  Elders 
Young  and  Davis — A  Hall  Ordained — Rockingham  Corifereuce  at  York,  Maine 
— Expresses  his  opinion  of  WiUiam  Miller's  reckojiing— Thoughts  of  Christ — 
H.  P.  Guilford,  J.  H.  Smith,  and  0.  P.  Tuckerman  Ordained,        ...         288 


Vm  CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER   XX. 

B.  Dickson  and  G.  M.  Payne  Ordained — Death  of  Elder  Abner  Jones — New  Hamp- 
shire Conference  at  Springfield,  New  Hampshire — C.  A.  Eastman  and  Thomas 
Bartlett  Ordained — Advent  Excitement — Second  Church   formed  at  Kittery     - 
Foreside — Christian  Camp  Meeting  at  Taunton,  Massachusetts — Death  of  Elder 
E,  Leavitt,  of  North  Hampton,  New  Hampshire,        ------     314 

CHAPTER   XXI. 

New  England  Convention  at  Lynn—Consequences  of  False  Excitement— New 
Hampshire  Conference — Disapprobation  of  the  Adventists — Protracted  Meeting 
at  Kittery — Fire  at  Portsmouth,  New  Hampshire — Shaker  Piano — New  England 
Home  and  Foreign  Missionary  Society  Organized — George  Peirce,  junior,  Or- 
dained—Christian Anniversaries  at  Boston— War  with  Mexico,        -        -        -      339 

CHAPTER   XXII. 

Attends  the  Christian  Anniversaries,  and  Rockingham  and  Strafford  Conferences.,. 
Opposes  National  "War... Brother  Rogers'  Bequest  to  the  New  Hampshire  Benev- 
olent Society. ..Advice  to  his  Daughter,..  Last  Moments  of  Mrs,  Fernald  ,..Her 
Burial.... Visits  Whicefield's  Remains.... James  M.  Hodgdon  Ordained... .Meeting 
House  burnt..  ..Death  of  his  two  Brothers,        ---..-.       364 

CHAPTER   XXIII. 

Revival  at  Kittery.... His  children  share  in  the  work  ...Death  of  Elder  Shaw.... 
Attacked  with  disease..  .Ceases  to  keep  his  Journal.. ..Brother  Payne's  Conclud- 
ing Remarks.... His  Last  Words., ..Death. ...Burial. ...Funeral  Exercises. ...Letter  of 
Condolence  to  the  Family, 388 


INTRODUCTION. 


An  urgent  wish  having  been  expressed,  that  the  hfe  of 
Elder  Mark  Fernald  as  prepared  by  himself,  should  be 
published,  the  family  placed  in  our  hands,  agreeably  to  his 
request,  his  papers  and  letters,  desiring  that  we  should 
undertake  the  work.  In  complying  with  this  wish  to  ex- 
ecute the  work,  Ave  feel  that  not  only  a  kindness  is  done 
to  the  family  of  the  departed  brother,  but  a  service  is  ren- 
dered to  the  Connection  and  to  the  community.  It  is  true, 
as  a  Denomination,  we  have  but  few  biographies,  although 
there  are  a  great  many  excellent  biographies  of  pious 
ministers  of  the  various  sects,  among  us  ;  hence  none  need 
question  the  expediency  or  propriety  of  adding  another  to 
the  numerous  list  already  before  the  public.  We  rejoice 
that  we  have  the  means  to  present  a  work  of  this  charac- 
ter ;  and  we  hope  that  all  our  prominent  ministers  will 
leave  prepared  manuscripts  to  afford  a  great  many  more 
for  the  benefit  of  the  Church  after  their  departure. 

Our  churches  are  very  much  influenced  by  example, 
especially  in  this  age,  when  the  doings  of  a  man  have  more 
power  than  his  principles.  We  desire  before  adopting  a 
system  of  religion,  to  see  how  it  appears  in  the  life  of  its 
adherents.  If  it  works  favorably  upon  character,  it  adds 
much  to  its  power  of  argument.  Every  work  that  will 
increase  this  kind  of  rehgious  power  should  be  well  sus- 
tained, and  regarded  a  powerful  auxiliary  in  supporting 
Christian  doctrine  and  principle. 

He  whose  life  is  written  in  this  biography,  was  one  of 
those  men  for  whom  nature  had  done  much,  and  when 
brought  under  the  sanctifying  power  of  rehgion,  he  made 
a  lasting  impress  upon  the  community  where  he  lived.    His 


10  INTRODUCTION. 

precept  and  example  were  impressed  upon  all  "who  came 
within  the  reach  of  his  godly  influence.  Seldom  can  we 
find  one  whose  whole  life  is  so  free  from  defects  and  sub- 
tractions. Viewing  his  character  from  any  point,  there  is 
much  to  admire.  He  was  surpassed  by  few  in  his  Chris- 
tian character.  Soundly  converted  in  the  days  of  early 
manhood,  he  began  his  Christian  course  with  firmness  and 
strong  decision  of  character.  It  appeared  to  be  his  high- 
est delight  to  fear  and  obey  God  under  all  circumstances. 
When  he  became  convinced  of  what  was  scripturally  cor- 
rect or  right  in  the  sight  of  God,  he  embraced  and  fear- 
lessly defended  the  same,  theoretically  and  practically. 
As  a  Christian,  he  was  a  man  of  uncommon  power  and  faith 
in  prayer.  His  prayers  were  not  formal,  cold,  and  power- 
less ;  he  came  before  God  in  solemn  confidence,  compre- 
hending his  own  wants,  and  with  understanding  presented 
them  to  his  Maker  with  solemn  reverence.  Seldom  could 
his  earnest  prayers  be  listened  to,  without  feeling  that  we 
were  in  the  presence  of  one  who  must  be  often  in  converse 
with  God.  His  piety  was  never  questioned,  by  saint  or 
sinner  ;  all  bore  testimony  that  he  was  emphatically  a  good 
man — a  Christian  in  heart,  fully  developed  in  the  life. 

As  a  minister,  Elder  Fernald's  worth  will  be  fully  seen 
in  his  biography.  In  many  respects  he  was  unequaled. 
In  originality  of  thought  and  expression,  he  has  displayed 
a  mind  of  the  highest  order.  His  literary  advantages 
were  limited.  His  Memoir  will  present  no  claim  for  liter- 
ary distinction  ;  but  none  who  knew  him,  could  call  him 
an  uneducated  minister.  In  BibHcal  study,  few  excelled 
him,  among  his  own  or  in  any  other  denomination.  He 
was  conversant  and  at  home  in  Biblical  theology,  always 
sustaining  his  positions  by  Bible  terms  and  scriptural  argu- 
ments, which  his  opponents  in  theology  did  or  could  seldom 
overthrow.  He  was  an  able  minister  of  the  New  Testa- 
ment. He  did  the  work  of  an  untiring  Evangehst.  Being 
a  lover  of  reformation,  he  had  the  privilege  of  enjoying 
many  glorious  outpourings  of  God's  Spirit,  and  he  admin- 


INTRODUCTION.  11 

istered  the  ordinance  of  baptism  to  hundreds  in  different 
States  of  the  Union. 

While  we  recognize  him  as  a  minister  of  Christ,  faithful 
and  true  to  his  trust  as  an  Evangelist,  he  was  not  deficient 
in  excellency  as  a  Pastor.  He  sustained  this  office  faith- 
fully to  many  churches.  He  was  unanimously  chosen  pas- 
tor of  the  church  in  Kittery,  April  27th,  1815,  and  for 
more  than  thirty-six  years  went  in  and  out  before  that 
church  as  an  under-shepherd.  Well  did  he  sustain  the 
character  of  a  pastor. 

Mark  Fernald  was  denominational.  While  he  was 
charitable  to  all  who  gave  evidence  of  conversion  to  God, 
he  had  his  own  home,  and  ever  delighted  to  dwell  "among 
his  own  people."  He  labored  day  and  night,  and  often 
with  tears,  for  the  people  of  his  choice.  From  the  organ- 
ization of  conferences  until  his  death,  he  w^as  a  decided 
conference  man,  and  was  always  at  his  post,  ready  for 
every  good  word  and  work.  He  was  ever  ready  to  sacri- 
fice time,  ease,  and  property  for  missions,  benevolent  so- 
cieties, education,  and  all  useful  reforms  that  were  among 
his  people.  His  doctrine  was  open  and  fully  announced  ; 
he  was  never  ashamed  to  preach  and  defend  what  he  con- 
sidered Bible  truth.  With  him  it  was  first,  "  What  saith 
the  Lord  ?"  and  when  that  was  supposed  to  be  ascertained, 
it  was  fearlessly  announced,  without  regard  to  human  con- 
sequences. 

As  a  preacher,  he  was  bold  and  fearless,  speaking  the  truth 
plainly  in  love.  His  sermons  were  well  studied,  and  generally 
both  doctrinal  and  practical.  Worldly-minded  and  cold  pro- 
fessors often  felt  the  power  of  his  plain  and  pointed  rebukes. 

Elder  Fernald,  viewed  from  the  family  circle,  presents 
most  amiable  traits.  His  home  was  a  home — a  safe 
retreat  from  the  cares  and  storms  of  life.  It  was  always 
pleasant  to  be  around  his  family  altar,  and  drink  from 
that  sweet  spring  of  domestic  peace  and  quiet.  As  a 
husband  and  father,  he  was  not  often  surpassed.  As  a 
citizen,  he  was  noted  for  honesty,  integrity,  and  economy ; 


12  INTEODUCTION. 

strict  to  all  liis  promises,  and  upright  in  all  his  dealings. 
He  loved  his  town  and  country,  and  always  desired  their 
highest  good.  He  loved  his  race,  and  always  stood  ready 
to  aid  in  every  reform.  Many  years  ago,  he  came  out 
against  the  evils  of  intemperance,  and  joined  the  different 
manifestations  for  the  advancement  of  temperance  principles. 

He  firmly  loved  and  labored  for  the  slave,  and  from  the 
first  was  out-spoken  against  the  fugitive  slave  law,  and 
has  been  a  faithful  advocate  of  the  Christian's  duty  "  to 
obey  God  rather  than  man."  Having  for  years  been 
acquainted  with  the  dangers  of  the  sea,  and  the  peculiar 
temptations  of  the  sailor  upon  the  land,  he  has  ever  taken 
a  deep  interest  in  his  welfare.  He  has  ever  supported  the 
cause  of  missions  and  benevolence  in  the  spread  of  the 
glorious  gospel  among  the  poor  and  destitute. 

He  died,  as  every  Christian  minister  should  die,  with  his 
armor  girt  about  him,  still  willing  to  do  service  for  God, 
preferring  rather  to  work  than  to  rest.  He  never  aban- 
doned the  cause,  or  turned  his  back  in  time  of  danger  and 
adversity.  He  w^as  not  double-minded, "  carried  about  by 
every  wind  of  doctrine."  And  though  dead,  he  yet  speak- 
eth ;   and  his  example  and  influence  will  be  felt  forever. 

In  offering  this  Journal  of  Elder  Mark  Fernald,  the 
publishers  feel  it  a  duty  to  themselves  to  say,  that  they  have 
not  felt  at  liberty  to  change  the  style  or  phraseology,  to 
make  it  acceptable  to  the  polished  or  finished  scholar  ;  or 
to  attempt  to  make  it  a  work  claiming  literary  merit. 
They  have  endeavored  to  present  Elder  Mark  Fernald, 
with  his  own  pecuHar  style,  expression,  and  eccentricities. 
They  hold  themselves  responsible  only  as  the  faithful 
executors  of  a  journal  put  into  their  hands,  written  by 
himself.  This  duty  they  have  endeavored  to  discharge  ; 
and  now  hope  that  the  work  will  answer  the  objects  for 
which  the  journal  was  kept.  They  present  it  to  the  public 
as  Elder  Mark  Fernald  conversing  with  his  friends. 

DANIEL  P.  PIKE, 

July,  1852.  GEOKGE  M.  PAYNE. 


BIOGRAPHY. 


CHAPTER  I. 


BIRTH — PARENTAGE — AND  EARLY  EDUCATION. 

Mark  was  the  name  that  Joshua  Fernald  and  his  wife, 
Ehzabeth,  gave  me  when  an  infant.  They  called  me  their 
son,  and  told  me  I  was  born  March  9th,  1784,  in  the 
^'Mansion  House  of  Sir  William  Pepperell,''  in  Kitterj, 
York  County,  Maine.  I  was  the  youngest  of  four  brothers 
and  two  sisters.  My  mother  was  a  daughter  of  Deacon 
Joshua  White,  of  Kittery.  My  father  was  a  son  of  John 
Fernald,  and  was  born  upon  an  island  in  the  Piscataqua 
river,  on  which  Sullivan's  Fort  was  erected.  He  descend- 
ed from  Thomas  Fernald,  who  with  his  brother  Keynald, 
came  from  England  previous  to  1631,  as  at  that  date  Rey. 
nald  Fernald  was  one  of  the  five  petitioners  for  the  incor- 
poration of  Portsuiouth,  New  Hampshire.  The  former 
name  was  that  of  "  Strawberry  Bankee." 

Reynald  was  a  surgeon  in  the  English  Navy,  and  a  pub- 
lic officer  in  his  new  settlement  at  New  Castle,  New  Hamp- 
shire.    Thomas  became  proprietor  of  the  islands  belonging 


14  LIFE   OF   ELDER   MARK    FERNALD. 

to  Kitterj,  Maine,  which  is  the  north-east  shore  of  the 
Piscataqua  river. 

The  hne  of  our  family  was  from  Thomas  ;  but  the  inter- 
mediate names  from  him,  from  1631  to  1700,  are  lost. — 
In  1700  a  Thomas  Fernald,  which  we  have  always  sup- 
posed to  be  a  son  or  grandson  of  the  before  mentioned 
Thomas,  died,  leaving  his  widow  Temperance  with  eight 
children,  two  sons  and  six  daughters.  Among  these  eight 
children  the  aforesaid  islands  were  divided.  The  sons' 
names  were  Samuel  and  Archelaus.  Archelaus  was  my 
father's  grandfather. 

My  early  life  being  at  this  ancient  public  seat  of  Sir 
Wilham  Pepperell,  placed  me  in  the  way  of  almost  every 
thing  vain  and  evil.  The  place  was  a  resort  of  all  classes 
of  men  and  bo3^s,  being  at  the  "Harbor,"  (Pepperell's 
Cove,)  and  the  next  house  was  a  tavern  for  dancing, 
drunkenness,  and  lewd,  sea-faring  men. 

I  was  early  sent  to  such  schools  as  there  were ;  but  as 
there  was  only  one  public  school  in  town  at  that  time,  and 
that  at  such  a  distance  from  my  father's,  I  never  derived 
but  little  advantage  from  it.  I  have  ever  lamented  my 
opportunities  for  education  ;  for  of  necessity  they  were 
very  limited.  My  only  instruction  consisted  in  reading, 
writing,  and  arithmetic,  without  the  blessing  of  English 
Grammar.  Dilsworth's  SpeUing  Book  was  all  the  school 
book  I  owned,  until  I  was  twenty-one  years  old.  My  pa- 
rents, however,  endeavored  to  give  their  children  a  moral 
education,  or  rather,  to  make  them  moralists.  They 
taught  us  the  Westminster  Catechism,  and  sent  us  to  meet- 
ing on  the  Sabbath ;  but  I  now  have  serious  fears  whether 
either  of  the  preachers,  under  whose  teaching  I  sat  until 


LIFE    OF   ELDER   MARK    FERNALD.  15 

I  was  twentj-one  years  of  age,  ever  knew  experimental  re- 
ligion. 

Mj  father  being  a  carpenter  and  joiner,  at  the  age  of 
thirteen  I  commenced  to  learn  that  trade  of  him.  Between 
the  age  of  thirteen  and  twentj-one,  I  was  at  sea  about  one 
year.  From  the  age  of  twenty-one  until  I  devoted  my 
whole  time  to  preaching,  I  labored  at  my  trade  or  spent 
the  time  at  sea.  I  had  several  narrow  escapes  from  being 
buried  in  the  ocean  or  in  the  sands  of  a  distant  shore. 

I  have  no  remembrance  of  any  remarkable,  early  im- 
pressions of  mind,  so  as  to  understand  the  need  of  salva- 
tion. My  mother  being  a  good  deacon's  daughter,  and 
being  brought  up  to  strictly  regard  religion  and  the  Sab- 
bath, did  what  she  could  to  instruct  her  children,  although 
she  never  professed  conversion  herself.  I  was  early  taught 
to  say  the  Lord's  Prayer.  I  think  parental  instruction  and 
admonition  were  a  great  hindrance  to  my  falling  into  many 
evils  which  I  partially  or  wholly  escaped. 

The  instructions  I  received  gave  me  some  idea  of  sin 
and  its  consequences.  I  was  early  taught  that  the  Spirit 
of  God  directly  impressed  children,  as  well  as  adults  of 
what  was  right,  and  convicted  them  of  what  was  wrong. 
I  had  many  inward  reproofs  when  I  did  or  said  what  I 
viewed  wrong,  especially  disobedience  to  an  excellent  moth- 
er, and  too  little  regard  for  the  Sabbath,  as  a  day  of  rest 
and  a  day  to  be  devoted  to  the  concerns  of  the  soul.  I 
sometimes  wished  my  birth  and  death  had  been  on  the 
same  day. 

The  instructions  I  received  of  a  future  heaven  of  rest 
and  eternal  hfe,  made  me  desire  to  be  a  Christian,  while 
as  yet  my  views  of  true  Christianity  were  faint.     When 


16  LIFE    OF  ELDER    MARK    FERNALD. 

not  over  seven  years  of  age,  I  spoke  some  wrong  word  in 
the  presence  of  a  man  who  said  to  me,  "  the  Devil  has  tha 
charged  against  you."  This  awakened  a  serious  thought 
that  the  Devil  would  have  a  claim  on  me  for  all  the  service 
I  rendered  him,  and  also  God  would  condemn  me  for 
all  mj  sin.  My  kind  mother  also  gave  me  a  sort  of  aver- 
sion to  Satan  by  telling  me,  "  when  Satan  finds  people  idle, 
he  always  sets  them  to  work  some  mischief."  My  idea  of 
serving  Satan  and  then  being  punished  of  God  for  it,  made 
me  desire  to  be  good. 

Among  the  evils  which  surrounded  me  in  youth,  were 
drinking  and  dancing  parties.  I  was  trained  from  a  child 
to  drink  strong  drink,  yet,  to  God  be  the  praise,  I  never 
was  a  drunkard.  I  was  encouraged  to  attend  dancing  par- 
ties, which  was  a  source  of  vanity  and  lightness  of  mind. 
This  familiarized  me  with  evil  company  and  weakened  my 
good  resolutions.  I  afterward  viewed  dancing,  not  only  a 
waste  of  time,  but  a  fruitful  source  of  inflaming  wrong 
passions,  drawing  youth  into  temptation,  often  ending  in 
the  ruin  of  souls. 

Card  playing  for  amusement  was  another  fearful  evil 
which  I  was  led  into.  It  has  since  appeared  to  me  to  be 
an  invention  of  Satan,  to  waste  time,  bewitch  the  mind, 
and  lead  to  gambling,  which  has  ruined  so  many,  both  for 
this  world,  and  the  world  to  come. 

I  was  particularly  fond  of  fine  clothing,  of  being  dressed 
smart.  I  was  not  aware  at  that  age,  of  what  was  compre- 
hended in  the  "  lust  of  the  eye  and  pride  of  life,"  but  have 
since  found  that  these  two  evils  led  me  and  others  to  be  fond 
of  dress.     Cleanliness  and  self-respect  are  commendable, 


LIFE   OF   ELDER   MxiRK    FERNALD.  17 

while  pride  and  vanity  in  every  form  are  sinful,  blinding  the 
mind,  hardening  the  heart  and  ruining  the  soul. 

My  disposition  was  not  revengeful,  yet  in  some  instances 
I  was  guilty  of  indulging  in  this  propensity ;  two  of  which 
I  will  relate.  A  boy  had  abused  me,  as  I  thought,  and 
being  angry,  in  return  for  the  abuse,  I  threw  a  stone  at  him 
so  fiercely  that  it  cut  his  head.  The  wound  was  so  bad  I 
feared  he  would  die,  and  I  suffer  as  a  murderer.  For  an- 
other instance  of  repeated  abuse  I  served  a  boy,  as  did  the 
woman  Abimelech  ; — I  threw  part  of  a  brick,  from  a  high 
window,  upon  his  bare  head.  I  did  not  know  at  first  but 
it  had  killed  him.  These  circumstances  gave  me  much 
distress,  and  I  believe  the  Spirit  of  God  employed  these 
wrongs  to  convict  of  such  wrongs  and  lead  me  to  treat  all 
with  forbearance,  and  never  to  avenge  myself  on  anyone  ; 
for  vengeance  is  the  Lord's, 

In  1802  I  had  arrived  to  the  hoy-man  of  eighteen; 
and  having  attended  singing  schools,  I  joined  the  Congre- 
gational singing  company,  which  were  all  like  myself  un- 
converted,—  drawing  near  to  God  with  our  lips  while  our 
hearts  were  far  from  him,  even  at  enmity  with  him.  This 
practice  I  have  ever  believed  to  be  wrong,  viz ;  for  uncon- 
verted persons  to  attempt  to  worship  God  in  singing.  Sing- 
ing and  the  use  of  instruments  of  music  for  amusement  and 
recreation,  is  very  different  from  worshiping  God. 

The  male  singers  were  accustomed  to  visit  the  rum-houses 
on  Sundays,  between  meetings,  and  obtain  one  gill  of  W. 
I.  rum  for  each.  Some  of  us  did  not  drink  a  full  glass, 
while  others  drank  their  own  share  and  the  balance  of  oth- 
ers, and  consequently  usually  staggered  up  the  aisle  of  the 

meeting-house,  shooting  by  the  proper  door,  and  when  stand- 

2* 


18  LIFE    OF   ELDER   MARK    FERXALD. 

ing  to  sing  held,  bj  the  railing  to  keep  steady.  Nor 
did  the  minister  reprove  this,  for  he  had  no  more  true  god- 
liness than  his  singers.  The  church  contained  about  twelve 
members, —  a  part  only  were  possessors  of  true  "rehgion." 

I  was  now  considered  a  serious,  respectable,  young  man  ; 
but  with  the  influence  of  such  a  minister  and  church,  how 
could  I  be  otherwise  than  a  proud,  vain,  frohcking,  self- 
conceited  youth  ?  God  be  praised  for  not  leaving  me  to 
end  in  ruin. 

Soon  after  this  I  read  in  Whitefield's  Eighteen  Sermons 
about  Outward  and  Inner  Court  Worshipers  ;  also 
Outside  Converted  Methodists,  which  gave  me  much 
study  and  serious  feelings  about  true  religion.  I  bought 
the  book  ;  and  that  book,  by  God's  aid,  tinctured  me  with 
Whitefield's  spirit.  The  perusal  of  his  discourses  proved 
a  great  benefit  to  me  then,  and  in  after  life.  I  never 
could  beheve  his  Calvinistic  sentiments,  yet  his  pointed 
and  urgent  appeals  to  the  sinner,  and  also  to  Christians,  did 
much  to  aid  my  future  zeal  and  labor  in  the  ministrv. 


LIFE    OF    ELDER   MARK    FERNALD.  19 


CHAPTER  II. 

HIS    CONVICTIOX — G0XVER3I0N"    TO    GOD — AXD    BAPTISM. 

"When  twenty-one  years  old,  March  9th,  1805,  I  had  a 
good  trade,  but  nothing  to  begin  with.  I  had  for  several 
years  previous  found  my  own  clothing,  but  had  never 
owned  a  coat  of  any  kind.  I  now  had  to  labor  for  tools, 
clothing,  &c.  This  season  I  became  more  concerned 
about  my  future  condition.  I  plainly  saw  by  the  Bible, 
and  George  Whitefield's  discourses,  that  I  must  be  saved 
by  the  grace  of  God,  through  Christ  Jesus.  My  impres- 
sions led  me  to  more  earnest  prayer.  I  clearly  saw  the 
difference  between  a  form  of  godliness,  and  the  true  spir- 
itual worship  and  salvation  of  Christ  in  a  Christian.  Un- 
til this  time  I  had  been  too  bigoted  or  sectarian  to  hear 
any  one  preach,  save  Congregationalists^  and  of  them  I 
heard  but  few  except  the  poorest  sort.  A  few  Baptist 
ministers  had  visited  the  town,  but  I  did  not  hear  them. — 
I  went  for  the  first  time  to  see  Elder  William  Bachelor 
baptize  a  woman ;  but  his  remarks  about  baptism  and 
sprinkling  so  offended  me,  that  I  neither  stood  up,  or  took 
off  my  hat. 

I  wanted  salvation,  but  knew  not  how  to  get  it.  My 
preachers  talked  hke  unconverted,  blind  guides,  and  I 
was  unwilling  to  hear  the  despised,  persecuted  Christians 
called  Baptists.     I  had  quit  the  dancing  and  card  playing 


20  LIFE   OF   ELDER   MARK   FERNALD. 

parties,  and  become  somewhat  of  a  common  Pharisee. — 
Fifteen  of  my  neighbors,  a  few  months  before,  had  been 
shipwrecked  in  Ipswich  bay;  in  the  memorable  snow 
storm  of  Oct.  9th,  1804  ;  this  with  other  loss  of  life,  had 
an  eflfect  to  stir  me  to  prepare  for  death.  In  Dec.  1805, 
I  sailed  for  the  South  with  a  captain,  mate  and  crew,  and 
several  passengers,  none  of  which  ever  professed  re- 
ligion. One  of  the  passengers  was  a  noted  Deist.  The 
last  of  December  we  were  in  the  most  imminent  danger  of 
being  wrecked,  where  not  a  soul  could  have  been  saved. — 
We  were  in  this  condition  six  hours.  Nothing  could  be 
done  ;  death  stared  us  boldly ;  no  swearing  was  then 
heard  ;  no  rum  was  then  used  ;  all  feared  our  end  had 
come.  Our  Deist  prepared  for  his  last  struggle  by  be- 
coming dumb  and  turning  into  his  berth.  It  was  an  aw- 
ful night.  None  prayed  vocally.  God  alone  knew"  our 
hearts  and  our  vows.  Poor  souls  !  no  Christianity,  and 
death  at  our  door.  I  questioned  myself;  could  I  be  on 
the  top  of  a  tree  in  the  forest,  and  live  until  the  morning 
sun  arose  and  then  die,  would  I  prefer  it  to  my  present 
condition  ?  I  thought  I  should  ;  yet  I  wished  to  live,  and 
promised  God  to  do  better  if  he  would  spare  us.  Mercy 
interposed,  and  we  arrived  at  our  desired  port.  I  had 
some  heart-humbling,  weeping  times,  yet  my  poor  deceit- 
ful heart  after  this  consented  to  violate  my  convictions. — 
Our  Captain  drew  me  into  card-playing,  wicked  company, 
which  was  a  check  to  my  tender  feelings. 

In  February,  1806,  we  arrived  at  Portsmouth,  New 
Hampshire.  The  Captain  and  myself  set  out  for  home, 
three  miles  distant,  in  a  boat,  and  in  a  snow  storm.  When 
within  a  mile  of  my  home,  rum  caused  our  boat  to  capsize 


LIFE    OF   ELDER   MARK    FERNALD.  21 

in  the  cold  rough  sea ;  four  men  from  a  vessel  rescued  us. 
Here  I  felt  a  renewed  determination  to  be  a  Christian. — 
But  I  found  it  hard  to  conquer  a  proud,  worldly,  carnal 
heart. 

This  spring  was  a  time  of  anxiety  and  mourning  to  us. 
We  supposed  my  brother  Peletiah  Avas  lost.  He  hoAvever 
arrived  home  in  May,  having  been  driven  by  gales  to  the 
West  Indies.  I  gained  no  victory  of  mind.  We  soon 
sailed  together  in  the  same  vessel ;  were  absent  about  four 
months,  encountering  some  dangers,  and  for  a  time  with- 
out food,  except  fish.  This  season  was  a  time  of  some  re- 
vival of  religion.  I  was  about  to  go  to  sea  again  with  my 
rum  Captain,  when  I  was  taken  down  with  a  severe  fever, 
which  laid  me  up  for  some  weeks ;  so  the  vessel  sailed 
without  me.  The  Lord  disappointed  me  for  good,  for  the 
winter  before  I  had  traded  some  in  Maryland  ;  a  rich 
planter  there  wished  me  to  return  and  settle,  and  made  me 
good  offers ;  and  had  I  not  been  taken  sick,  probably  I 
should  never  have  entered  the  vineyard  of  Christ. 

The  years  1806  and  1807  were  memorable  years  to 
Kittery  for  a  revival  spirit,  which  spread  extensively.  In 
the  commencement  of  1807,  having  recovered  from  my 
sickness,  I  became  more  concerned  about  the  welfare  of 
my  soul.  I  ventured  occasionally  to  attend  the  revival 
meetings.  On  the  20th  of  November,  1806,  a  church  of 
fourteen  members  was  gathered  in  Kittery,  by  Elder 
Ephraim  Stinchfield  and  Elder  Moses  Safford.  Elder 
Safford  was  a  resident  of  Kittery,  and  took  the  oversight 
of  the  little  flock,  he  having  been  ordained  a  short  time 
previous.  Elder  Stinchfield  resided  in  New  Gloucester, 
Maine,  and  belonged  to  the  Free  Will  Baptist  Society. — 


22  LIFE   OF   ELDER   MARK    FERNALD. 

Elder  Safford  was  the  first  preacher  in  Maine  who  styled 
himself  a  "  Christian,"  without  any  additional  name.  El- 
der Stinchfield  was  at  this  time  a  laborious,  faithful  and 
successful  preacher,  much  in  favor  of  the  people  called 
"Christians,"  viz :  Elias  Smith,  Abner  Jones,  and  others 
who  had  commenced  (as  it  was  called)  "  a  new  sect." — 
The  Church  was  called  "  Christian,"*  taking  the  New 
Testament  for  their  rule.  Elder  Stinchfield  baptized  a 
large  number  who  united  in  "  Christian"  churches,  with- 
out naming  to  them  anything  about  joining  the  Free-will 
Baptists,  for  which  many  of  his  Free-will  Baptist  brethren 
were  grieved  with  him. 

In  March  and  April,  1807  the  Lord  wrought  gloriously 
on  many  hearts ;  several  were  baptized,  among  whom  was 
the  woman  who  afterwards  became  my  wife  ;  also  my  eld- 
est sister  left  the  parish  church  and  was  baptized.  I  now 
saw  that  the  salvation  of  the  soul  was  something  beyond 
morality  and  forms  of  godhness.  I  was  constrained  to 
make  a  stronger  efibrt  to  be  Whitefield's  "  Inner  Court 
Worshiper." 

April  17th,  I  attended  a  meeting  of  experience  for  candi- 
dates to  give  in  their  evidence  of  conversion  before  bap- 


*  Elder  Stinclifield  had  in  the  year  1805.  (according  to  his  book  styled  "  Some  Mem- 
oirs," &c.,  pp.  68,  and  69,)  formed  "an  acquaintance  with  several  religious  societies 
who  styled  themselves  "  Christians,"  without  any  of  the  party  names  which  divide 
Christians  in  general."  He  says,  "  I  found  they  were  an  open-hearted,  Hberal  people; 
renouncing  everything  unscriptural  among  themselves  or  others;  loving  and  owning 
piety  for  its  own  sake,  among  any  and  all  they  found  it  with.  I  never  shall  forget 
while  I  live,  with  what  open-heartedness  I  was  received  by  them,  tliough  a  stranger 
whom  they  had  never  seep,  (^r  perhaps  heard  of  before.  My  heart  was  soon  knit  to 
them  by  strong  ties,  such, as  the  poet  says,  "  Nature  and  time  can't  remove." 

I  now  found  I  was  wrong,  in  many  things,  which  I  was  constrained  by  the  force  of 
truth  communicated  through  their  instrumentality,  to  yield  v^p — particularly  a  partt 
SPIRIT  ;  also  a  party  name,  which  I  had  got  strongly  attached  to,  and  was  for  some- 
time loth  to  give  up.  I  have  reason  to  bless  the  Lord  that  I  ever  became  acquainted 
with  them." 


LIFE   OF   ELDER   MARK    FERNALD.  23 

tism.     They  sung  the   hymn   having   these  lines  in  it : 

'^  The  year  of  the  redeemed  is  past. 
And  now  it  is  too  late  !" 

The  preacher  sunk  into  his  chair  exclaiming,  too  late  I 
too  late  !  The  cry  went  through  the  people  as  though  the 
day  of  judgment  had  come  indeed.  After  meeting  I  re- 
tired, wept,  and  promised  the  Lord  to  do  the  best  I  could 
to  be  a  Christian  and  serve  him.  That  evening  I  went  to 
meeting,  bowed  the  knee  in  public  and  cried  vocally  for 
salvation.  From  this  time  I  left  my  old  society  meeting, 
no  longer  vindicated  sprinkling  for  baptism,  or  forms  of 
godliness  for  spiritual  power  of  truth. 

Although  a  gi^eat  change  was  wrought  in  my  mind,  and 
I  felt  much  separated  from  my  former  companions  and 
practices,  yet  I  did  not  believe  my  sins  were  forgiven.  I 
was  not  a  Christian,  but  a  penitent,  crediting  all  the  truth 
of  the  gospel.  To  have  Christ  in  me  the  "  hope  of  glory,'* 
was  yet  lacking.  I  had  become  much  attached  to  revival 
meetings  and  the  company  of  living  saints.  I  was  about 
going  to  sea.  To  be  absent  several  months  from  all  meetings 
was  very  trying,  and  it  was  doubly  so  to  leave  the  saints 
who  had  for  weeks  prayed  night  and  day  for  my  conver- 
sion. 

I  sailed  May  23d,  1807,  with  but  two  Christians,  and 
eleven  unconverted  souls,  to  brave  the  dangers  of  the  deep. 
One  circumstance  in  my  favor  was,  our  Captain  was  a  faith- 
ful convert,  and  allowed  no  swearing,  but  prayed  with  us 
at  times.  All  I  record  of  the  voyage  is,  I  had  a  vein  cut, 
which  burst  when  I  was  asleep  and  bled  badly  ere  I  awoke. 
I  was  knocked  backwards  from  a  rope  on  which  I  stood, 
by  a  sail  above  my  head,  and  narrowly  escaped  falling  in- 


24  LIFE    OF   ELDER   MARK    FERNALD. 

to  the  sea  by  catching  the  bolt  rope  vfith  my  thumb  and 
tops  of  my  fingers.  This  I  viewecT'  aT mercy  of  God,  as 
I  have  since  often  tried  to  hold  my  weight  in  a  like  man- 
ner, but  could  not.  Also,  we  got  upon  an  unseen  ledge 
inlat.  54*^  80  North,  where  we  lay  twenty- four  hours  in  a 
heavy  storm  of  rain.  Our.  vessel  was  new  and  very  strong, 
or  she  would  have  wrecked  ;  and  a  gale  in  the  St.  Law- 
rence tried  our  courage.  All  these  things  impressed  me 
more  deeply  with  the  importance  of  being  wholly  reconciled 
to  God. 

I  arrived  home  the  last  of  September.  My  serious  im- 
pressions were  some  abated,  and  I  seriously  feared  I  should 
never  obtain  an  evidence  of  true  conversion.  I  continued 
thus  until  December  6th,  1807,  when  on  the  Sabbath,  in  a 
new  meeting-house  filled  with  attentive  hearers,  I  trust  I 
obtained  a  saving  hope  in  God  through  Jesus  Christ  his  Son. 
My  distress  of  mind  was  beyond  description ;  but  I  found 
relief  by  yielding  to  a  deep  sense  of  duty  to  rise  in  the 
time  of  sermon,  and  express  my  feelings  and  determina- 
tions for  the  future.  My  brother  rose  a  few  minutes  after, 
in  a  similar  manner,  and  found  deliverance.  We  had  been 
for  months  past  in  a  similar  state  of  mind.  He,  a  few 
years  after  became  deacon  of  the  same  church  of  which  I 
became  pastor. 

The  idea  of  being  ''  born  again," — "  born  of  God,"  was 
so  great,  and  its  consequences  so  glorious,  that  I  was  fre- 
quently fearing  that  I  was  not  that  character.  Others  of 
short  experience  would  often  shout  glory  and  rejoice,  while 
I  felt  much  to  mourn  and  weep  over,  and  great  cause  of 
humiliation. 


LIFE   OF   ELDER   MARK    FERNALD.  25 

December  9th,  1807,  mj  brother  Peletiah  and  three 
others,  and  myself,  were  baptized  m  the  Atlantic  Ocean. 
Thanks  to  God  that  that  ocean  was  my  baptismal  fount  in- 
stead of  my  graye,  as  it  had  often  threatened.  As  doubt- 
ful as  I  have  often  been  about  my  acceptance  with  God, 
I  believe  that  all  the  saints  believed  in  my  change,  and 
predicted  my  pubhc  improvement.  I  commenced  public 
exhortation  the  same  evening,  in  a  full  meeting,  although  I: 
did  not  gain  that  victory  I  desired,  and  which  others  spoke- 
of. 

In  the  foregoing  account  I  have  not  named  unnumbered 
scenes  of  distress,  and  almost  despair  of  ever  finding  peace 
with  God.  Unbelief  often  appeared  to  bind  my  soul  in 
darkness,  as  secure  as  Peter  between  his  two  soldiers  in 
prison ;  still,  onward  was  my  eifort,  even  if  I  should  be  a. 
cast- away  at  last. 


26  LIFE   OF  ELDER   MARK   FERNALD. 


CHAPTER  III. 

HIS  CALL  TO    THE   MINESTRY— ORDINATION AND  HAND  OF 

FELLOWSHIP   AT   KITTERY,   MAINE. 

It  was  predicted  that  I  should  become  a  public  speaker  ; 
but  this  was  of  all  expectations  the  most  distant  and 
inconsistent  to  me.  I  thought  I  had  neither  talent,  learn- 
ing, winning  manner,  courage  or  grace,  for  such  a  glorious 
and  heavenly  calling ;  yet  I  felt  very  anxious  for  the  sal- 
vation of  souls  around  me,  which  would  be  lost  forever 
without  a  pardon  of  their  sins.  I  prayed  much,  watched 
my  life,  and  watched  my  inward  feelings  of  duty,  which  I 
considered'  as  answers  to  my  prayers  to  know  the  Lord's 
will  concerning  my  duty.  I  spoke  or  prayed,  or  both,  in 
almost  every  meeting ;  but  often  retired  much  tempted, 
fearing  I  had  done  injury  to  some  minds.  Sometimes  I 
thought  I  would  speak  no  more :  this  would  bring  death 
to  my  spirit  and  darkness  to  my  mind.  One  instance  I  will 
name  :  A  certain  noted  man  and  wife  heard  me  speak  after 
my  baptism,  and  such  was  my  constant  temptation,  that  I 
had  injured  their  feelings  by  my  speaking,  that  I  believe  I 
never  spoke  before  them  again  for  more  than  a  year.  So 
certain  was  I  of  it,  that  I  avoided  giving  them  an  oppor- 
tunity to  hear,  till  I  was  informed  of  their  strong  desire  to 
hear  me.  I  record  this  to  expose  Satan's  art  to  keep  an 
honest  soul  in  disobedience. 


LIFE   OF   ELDER  MARK    FERNALD.  2T 

In  February,  1808,  I  made  a  journey  to  the  Kennebec 
river,  to  Hallowell,  Augusta,  Waterville,  Sidney,  &c.  I 
improved  my  talent  some,  and  returned  home  more  en- 
couraged to  improve  my  gift  in  prayer  and  exhortation, 
which  I  did  in  ahnost  every  meeting  where  I  was  permit- 
ted so  to  do.  About  this  time  I  formed  an  acquaintance 
with  Elder  Elias  Smith.  In  April  I  was  at  Portsmouth, 
New  Hampshire,  at  a  meeting.  Elder  Smith  was  to  bap- 
tize eleven  converts.  I  went  to  the  place  of  baptizing  be- 
fore him,  with  a  crowd  of  people.  On  arriving  at  the 
place  I  became  impressed  with  my  new  views  of  water 
baptism  ;  the  scriptures  flowed  freely  to  my  mind,  with 
light  and  solemn  power,  until  I  could  not  stand  still ;  I 
could  scarcely  keep  from  falling.  I  wished  to  do  right, 
but  felt  my  weakness  and  ignorance  to  be  such,  that  I  could 
not  fully  believe  it  my  duty  to  talk,  and  yet  I  awfully 
feared  to  keep  silent.  Deacon  Thomas  Moses  did  not  see 
rae,  but  said,  "  I  believe  somebody  has  a  duty  to  do." 
Elder  Smith  arrived,  performed  the  usual  se.'^dces,  and  we 
all  repaired  to  the  evening  meeting.  I  felt  condemned 
and  sunk  in  spirit,  although  I  had  not  done  wrong  design- 
edly, but  through  fear.  There  appeared  a  great  lack  of 
something  at  the  water  ;  but  0  !  could  such  a  worm  as  I 
hinder  any  good  impressions  ? 

I  promised  that  should  I  be  impressed  with  duty,  at  the 
evening  meeting,  I  would  endeavor  to  improve.  The  time 
arrived  ;  Elder  Smith  preached  to  a  solemn  assembly. 
My  impressions  were  renewed,  and  my  promise  admon- 
ished me  of  my  duty ;  but  the  cross  was  so  great,  I  felt 
like  a  worm.  I  lacked  faith  in  Christ ;  I  disobeyed  again. 
Like  Israel,  I  grieved  God's  Spirit. 


28  LIFE    OF   ELDER   MARK    FERNALD. 

I  returned  to  Kitterj,  sunk  and  discouraged  in  spirit, 
with  no  resolution  to  improve  again  in  public,  and  very 
much  doubting  mj  conversion  to  God.  I  was  despairing  ; 
no  happiness,  and  no  access  to  God  in  prayer ;  yet  I  kept 
begging  for  mercy,  without  speaking  in  public,  for  three 
months.  Several  of  the  saints  said  much  to  encourage  me, 
and  helped  me  much,  among  whom  was  the  godly  saint 
who  seventeen  years  after  became  my  wife.  At  this 
age,  and  until  seventeen  years  after,  no  person  on  earth 
received  a  request,  or  even  an  intimation  of  marriage  with 
me,  nor  did  I  think  I  ever  should  marry. 

My  trials  through  the  summer  were  deep  and  severe. 
September  20th,  1808,  while  in  puWic  meeting,  the  Apos- 
tle Paul's  words,  (Gal.  iii :  10,)  "  Cursed  is  every  one 
that  continueth  not  in  all  things  written  in  the  book  of  the 
law  to  do  them,"  so  deeply  impressed  my  mind,  that  I 
ventured  to  rise  and  give  the  light  I  received  upon  the 
subject.  I  had  liberty ;  felt  some  freedom  and  spiritual 
life.  This  was  considered  my  first  preaching.  It  was 
confirmed  to  the  church  that  brother  Mark  must  be  a 
preacher.  I  thought  anything  but  condemnation  and  death 
in  the  soul.  In  my  improvement  after  this,  I  used  no  text 
of  Scripture  until  November,  when  I  spoke  from  Jeremiah, 
XXIX  ch.,  12  and  13  verses.  I  feared  to  appoint  meetings 
or  do  any  thing  that  would  lead  the  people  to  think  I  meant 
to  be  a  preacher.  Brother  Peter  Young,  of  York,  who 
had  been  a  public  speaker  for  some  time,  had  his  leg  am- 
putated, and  requested  me  to  visit  him  and  meet  the  peo- 
ple at  his  house.  This  I  did  repeatedly  through  the  fol- 
lowing winter. 

In  the  commencement  of  1809,  I  felt  less  fear  of  usins; 


LIFE    OF   ELDER   MARK   FERNALD.  29 

Scripture  as  a  text,  or  to  explain  it.  In  March  I  ventured 
into  South  Berwick ;  also  to  Wells,  and  often  spoke  in 
York,  and  Kittery,  my  native  place ;  yet  I  would  not  call 
it  preaching,  for  the  calling  appeared  too  great,  and  to 
avoid  the  name  and  appearance  of  a  preacher,  I  wore  at 
home  and  abroad  a  short  round  jacket,  or  sailor's  dress. 

0  !  how  different  I  felt  from  modern  young  preachers.  I 
did  not  do  it  for  oddity. 

In  May  of  this  year.  Elder  Safford,  who  was  pastor  of 
the  church  in  Kittery,  felt  it  his  duty  to  preach  elsewhere, 
only  occasionally  preaching  to  his  own  people,  and  the  peo- 
ple looked  to  me  to  be  their  speaker  in  his  absence.  I 
now  felt  my  earthly  prop  gone.  I  w^anted  to  see  a  refor- 
mation. My  improvement  gained  the  attention  of  the 
people  and  evidence  in  my  own  mind.  I  cared  less  what 
was  said,  if  I  could  do  good.  I  would  sing,  pray,  exhort , 
expound  or  preach,  if  God  was  glorified  and  souls  saved. 

1  had  been  very  anxious  to  know  what  my  gift  was.  I  now 
concluded  to  do  good  any  way,  and  do  no  evil. 

The  spirit  of  revival  was  now  among  us.  Our  msetings 
were  encouraging.  In  June,  Elder  Stinchfield  returned 
among  us,  beloved  and  useful.  (Well  would  it  have  been 
had  he  continued  so.)  He  took  hold  with  us  heart  and 
hand. 

In  two  successive  meetings  where  I  spoke  like  Gideon, 

I  requested  of  the  Lord  signs  to  remove  my  fears  about 

preaching.     June  18th,  I  requested  the  Lord  to  convert  a 

soul  in  the  meeting  to  confirm  my  mind.     While  speaking 

I  was  impressed  to  tell  the  people,  if  any  would  kneel 

before  the  Lord  and  cry  for  mercy  with  all  the  heart,  He 

would  have  mercy  upon  them.     When  I  closed  I  kneeled 
3* 


30  LIFE    OF   ELDER   MARK    FERNALD. 

and  prajed ;  a  young  woman  kneeled  and  cried  aloud  to 
Heaven.  When  I  arose  from  mj  knees  she  arose  also, 
stood  up  and  clearly  rejoiced  in  God,  declaring  what  the 
Lord  had  done  for  her  soul. 

The  next  day  I  still  labored  under  fears,  and  at  a  lengthy 
meeting  I  prayed  vocally  to  God  to  decide  my  mind,  by 
converting  souls  in  that  meeting  ;  and  before  the  meeting 
closed  four  professed  salvation.  One  dated  conviction 
from  my  speaking  then. 

At  times  I  thought  all  doubts  of  duty  to  preach  gone, 
yet  the  work  appeared  so  great,  the  calling  so  holy,  and  the 
responsibility  so  weighty,  that  I  could  not  surmount  all 
fears.  Still  I  did  the  best  I  could,  taking  for  my  motto, 
"'  I  will  try  to  do  right."  I  think  that  under  a  sinking,  dis- 
couraging trial  of  mind,  at  one  time,  I  ate  nothing  for  six 
days  and  nights,  excepting  once,  and  then  a  very  small 
quantity.  I  feared  to  touch  God's  Ark  or  enter  his  Tab- 
ernacle, and  yet  I  wished  to  be  a  Christian.  I  had  no 
preacher  to  enter  upon  my  case  as  a  father  in  the  gospel. 

In  the  previous  year,  (1808)  I  had  followed  Elias 
Smith  and  others  to  general  meetings,  at  Dover,  New 
Hampshire,  South  Berwick,  and  Wells,  Maine,  and  at 
York,  when  Elder  Peter  Young  was  ordained,  September 
7th,  1808,  but  I  did  not  attempt  to  preach  or  to  unfold  my 
mind  to  them.  In  the  summer  of  1809,  I  visited  Wells 
and  South  Berwick  several  times,  had  refreshing  meetings, 
besides  preaching  many  times  in  Kittery,  and  once  in  Ports- 
mouth, New  Hampshire.  It  v/as  desired  that  I  should  be 
ordained,  although  I  had  never  called  my  speaking  by  the 
name  of  preaching.  It  was  not  named  to  me  until  Sep- 
tember.     In  June  I  had  a  remarkable  cross  to  take  up. 


LIFE    OF   ELDER   MARK    FERXALD.  31 

A  noted  man  was  to  be  buried.  He  bad  been  my  head 
singer  in  the  Congregational  meeting-house  ;  all  his  con- 
nections were  opposed  to  our  revival  meetings  and  to  me. 
I  felt  so  impressed  in  mind  that  I  could  not  eat.  Go  I 
must,  and  speak  if  allowed,  for  I  always  believed  it  improp- 
er to  intrude  on  others'  liberty  or  rights.  I  decided  to  ask 
liberty  of  his  widow  ;  hberty  was  granted.  I  went  to  the 
grave  with  the  crowd  and  two  clergymen :  one  friendly, 
the  other  stiffly  opposed.  It  was  the  opponent  who  offici- 
ated. At  his  close  I  stood  upon  an  old  wall,  and  ad- 
dressed the  people  from  Amos  iv  :  12,  "Prepare  to  meet 
thy  God,"  &c.  Three  old  men  left  the  field — the  rest 
heard.  I  spoke  fifteen  or  twenty  minutes.  God's  truth 
in  power  reached  many  hearts.  ''  The  Archers  shot  from 
the  walls."  Many  were  convicted,  who  afterward  at  dif- 
ferent times  confessed  Christ,  dating  their  convictions  or 
awakening  to  that  discourse. 

In  September  I  had  profitable  meetings  in  the  south 
part  of  South  Berwick.  Elder  Peter  Young  lived  at  Scot- 
land parish,  York,  and  had  a  church  under  his  care.  El- 
der Stinchfield  was  assisting  him.  They  had  meetings  ap- 
pointed for  September  20th,  both  day  and  evening ;  also 
a  baptizing.  I  went  down  to  unite  with  them  in  their 
labor.  When  I  arrived  there,  they  and  the  church  present 
were  determined  to  have  me  ordained.  I  objected  to  time 
and  place.  They  behoved  it  was  duty,  and  that  the  "  Ho- 
ly Ghost"  moved  them  to  the  work.  I  looked  the  subject 
over  weightily.  They  said  circumstances  demanded  it,  as 
Elder  Young  had  but  one  leg  and  could  not  baptize  ;  Elder 
Stinchfield  resided  at  a  distance  and  was  about  returning 


32  LIFE    OF   ELDER   MARK    FERNALD. 

home,  and  Elder  Safford,  tliough  a  good  man,  was  unpop- 
ular generally.  I  prayed,  meditated,  and  finally  submitted 
to  receive  ordination,  whicb  accordingly  took  place  Sep- 
tember 20tb,  1809,  in  York,  Maine. 

I  never  felt  condemned  for  so  doing,  but  was  always 
sorry  that  I  did  not  demand  to  go  to  Kittery,  my  home, 
and  let  the  church  there  be  gratified.  However,  it  passed 
off  with  very  little  dissatisfaction,  and  that  short.  Sep- 
tember 22d,  I  preached  in  Wells  ;  24th  in  Kittery,  thrice, 
and  on  the  27th  I  returned  to  Wells  and  preached,  and 
baptized  two  men  and  one  woman,  one  of  which  was  serv- 
ing the  Lord  forty  years  afterwards.  On  the  28th  I  vis- 
ited York,  (Scotland  parish)  where  I  was  ordained  and 
baptized.  I  then  returned  to  Kittery  and  preached,  and 
baptized  some  aged  persons  both  on  the  4th  and  8th  of 
October. 

At  a  pubhc  meeting,  held  at  the  meeting-house  in  Kit- 
tery, on  the  16th  of  October,  1809,  Elders  Samuel  Rand 
and  Moses  Safford,  as  preachers,  and  in  behalf  of  the 
church,  gave  me  the  right  hand  of  fellowship,  as  an  Elder 
thereof.  This  removed  all  dissatisfaction  that  had  existed 
in  relation  to  my  being  ordained  at  York, 


LIFE    OF   ELDER   MARK    FERNALD.  33 


CHAPTER   IV. 

SUCCESS  OF  HIS  EARLY  MINISTRY  IN  SEVERAL  TOWNS  IN 
THE  IMMEDIATE  VICINITY  OF  KITTERY VISIT  TO  SALIS- 
BURY,   MASS. AMESBURY    MILLS  — OPPOSITION    THERE 

TOUR   NORTH,    &C. 

I  returned  to  South  Berwick,  preached  and  baptized,  and 
on  the  28th  instant  organized  a  church  in  the  south  part  of 
the  town,  of  twenty-eight  members.  I  remained  there 
until  the  14th  of  November  and  baptized,  on  this  visit,  ten 
converts.  I  then  visited  and  preached  at  Kittery  and 
Portsmouth,  and  on  the  18th  of  November  returned  to 
South  Berwick.  I  tarried  at  South  Berwick  and  at  Som- 
ersworth.  New  Hampshire  seventeen  days,  preaching  daily; 
converts  w^ere  multiplied  and  baptized. 

On  this  visit  I  commenced  labors  at  Berwick  Landing, 
called,  for  many  years,  Sodom,  on  account  of  the  wicked- 
ness of  the  people,  who  were  given  very  much  to  drink- 
ing and  swearing.  I  could  only  hear  of  three  professors 
of  religion  in  the  place.  There  had  been  no  reformation 
for  long  years.  Opposition  was  great  against  me  to  grind 
up  my  sea-faring  zeal.  However,  Satan  got  nothing  by  his 
opposition,  for  sinners  were  pricked  in  their  hearts,  cried  to 
God,  found  mercy  and  were  baptized  before  spring. 

In  December  I  preached  in  Kittery,  York  and  South 
Berwick.     On  the  17th  instant  we  had  a  meeting  which 


84  LIFE    01^   ELDER   MARK    EERXALD. 

continued  twelve  hours ;  two  converts  were  added  to  Zion's 
ranks,  and  my  strength  was  equal  to  the  labor.  For  a  few 
days  I  was  laid  by  with  the  mumps.  In  1810  I  commenced 
in  Berwick.  By  exposure  I  was  sick  a  few  days,  after 
which  I  was  enabled  to  preach  once  or  more  every  day 
through  January  to  the  29th  instant.  Our  meetings  were 
powerful.  On  one  day  three  found  peace  in  believing.  I 
then  visited  Kittery  and  Portsmouth,  and  preached  in  each 
place.  On  the  first  of  February  visited  York,  preached 
four  times  and  baptized.  On  the  6th,  in  returning  to  South 
Berwick,  I  was  thrown  from  my  horse  and  injured  in  my 
knee.  February  11th,  I  broke  bread  to  the  church,  for  the 
first  time,  and  on  the  19th  baptized  four  converts.  At  this 
time  some  trials  arose.  A  singular  man,  Elliot  Frost,  of 
Elliot,  Maine,  the  adjoining  town  to  South  Berwick,  came 
to  South  Berwick,  and  stationed  himself  at  brother  Silas 
Goodwin's  house,  saying,  God  sent  him  there  to  remain, 
nor  dare  he  go  abroad,  not  even  home  to  his  family,  for 
months.  He  declared  he  was  immortal,  and  should  never 
die,*  and  that  all  he  said  was  directly  from  God.  He  would 
walk  the  floor  and  prophesy.  Several  fell  in  with  his  views 
and  left  going  to  meeting.  I  believed  him  honest,  but  reli- 
giously deranged;  and  for  this  I  was  opposed  by  some 
good  people.  I  believed  all  this  a  plan  of  the  Devil  to 
destroy  souls. 

What  gave  Frost  such  success,  was,  he  was  the  man  who 
in  a  similar  manner,  went  through  the  streets  of  Portsmouth, 
New  Hampshire,  previous  to  the  Yellow  Fever  (by  which 
a  great  number  died)  and  the  destructive  fire  of  1802, 

*  He  died  in  1849,  yerj^  aged, 


LIFE    OF   ELDER   MARK    FERNALD.  35 

and  cried  as  he  went,  "Death  and  Destruction."  The  fire 
spread  just  where  he  travelled  and  cried,  and  the  last  build- 
ing that  was  burned  was  St.  John's  Church,  on  the  steps  of 
which  he  sat  down  and  ceased  his  crying.  He  afterward  trav- 
elled through  the  streets  and  prophesied,  "Peace  and  Good 
Will,"  before  the  great  reformation  under  the  labors  of  El- 
ders Elias  Smith,  Abner  Jones  and  others.  Hence  the 
confidence  of  the  people  was  strong  in  Frost's  favor,  and 
against  mj  opinion  of  his  derangement.  This  brought 
heavy  trials  on  the  young  church,  and  laid  the  foundation 
for  its  overthrow  in  1833. 

So  far  did  this  delusion  run,  that  Frost,  in  the  greatest 
apparent  joy  and  happiness,  at  one  time  undressed  himself 
entirely,  crossed  what  is  called  Great  Works  River,  in  South 
Berwick,  passed  through  the  main  street  of  the  village,  in- 
the  open  day,  while  brother  Silas  Goodwin  bore  his  clothing 
after  him,  supposing  they  were  obeying  God  and  exposing 
the  nakedness  of  the  people  spiritually.  This  was  the 
commencement  of  my  trials  with  honest  but  deceived  Chris- 
tians. 0!  Delusion:  0!  Fanaticism.  I  could  only  weep, 
pray,  and  preach  truth,  and  await  the  trying  event  of  the 
prevailing  delusion. 

On  the  21st  of  January,  I  went  to  Kittery  and  did  the  best 
I  could  there,  and  on  the  28th  went  to  Portsmouth,  New 
Hampshire.  Here  I  made  an  efibrttoget  souls  converted. 
Many  Avere  soon  awakened.  I  raised  an  excitement  by 
walking  through  the  aisles  of  the  meeting-house  and  sol- 
emnly addressing  the  people.  The  house,  though  large, 
was  full ;  hundreds  were  tenderly  affected,  and  the  breth- 
ren awoke  and  came  forward  in  front  of  the  preacher's 
stand,  and  there  prayed  with  mourning  souls,,  until  many 


36  LIFE    OF   ELDER   MARK    FERNALB. 

were  brought  to  rejoice  in  Christ.  This  was  a  rehef  to  my 
poor  heart.  I  felt  too  ignorant  for  Portsmouth,  but  truth 
did  its  duty  regardless  of  mj  fears.  I  labored  here  until 
April,  excepting  I  occasionally  visited  and  preached  atKIt- 
tery,  during  which  time  several  were  converted,  and  I  had 
several  good  baptizing  seasons.  I  could  not,  however,  suc- 
ceed to  my  satisfaction,  and  after  breaking  bread  I  return- 
ed to  South  Berwick,  April  3d,  1810.  Had  but  poor  suc- 
cess there  in  preaching,  and  on  the  8th  visited  and  preach- 
ed at  Newington,  New  Hampshire,  and  returned  to  Ports- 
mouth and  baptized  four.  It  was  reported  that  my  voice 
in  prayer  at  that  time  was  heard  more  than  a  mile. 

At  Nevlngton,  the  use  of  the  meeting- house  was  divided 
among  several  societies.  They  called  on  me  to  preach.  My 
text  was  I  Cor.  1  :  13,  ^'Is  Christ  divided?"  I  did  my 
best  to  unite  them  in  an  undivided  Christ.  I  continued  in 
Newington,  Portsmouth  and  Kittery,  preaching  every  day 
or  evening  until  the  15th,  when  I  went  to  South  Berwick 
and  baptized  three. 

I  next  went  to  Dover,  New  Hampshire,  and  preached, 
and  thence  to  Madbury  and  Durham,  where  I  continued  a 
few  days  preaching  the  word.  On  the  21st  I  baptized  Ed- 
mund Pendexter  and  his  wife  Mary,  at  Madbury.  At  our 
Conference  meeting  here,  good  aged  Elder  Hooper,  a  Bap- 
tist brother,  and  I  controverted  some  about  Calvinism  and 
the  Baptists'  creed.  He  did  not  like  for  me  to  baptize  broth- 
er and  sister  Pendexter.  I  was  too  free,orArminian  or  some- 
thing. It  was  a  stirring  up  time  at  Durham  Falls.  I  con- 
tinued to  preach  in  Durham  and  Portsmouth,  New  Hamp- 
shire, and  in  Kittery  and  Elliot,  Maine,  until  May  10th 
when  I  visited   Sahsbury,  Massachusetts.     From  thence 


LIFE    OF   ELDER   MARK    FERNALD.  St 

I  went  to  Newton,  New  Hampsliire,  and  thence  to  Haver- 
hill, Bradford  and  Rowley,  Massachusetts.  In  these  sev- 
eral towns  I  spoke  daily  through  the  remainder  of  May. 
Many  meetings  were  encouraging,  and  souls  were  awak- 
ened ;  but  the  church  at  Haverhill  and  Bradford  were  in 
trials. 

I  had  unusual  trials  of  mind  this  month,  and  nearly  con- 
eluded  that  I  ought  not  to  have  entered  the  ministry.  I 
prayed,  wept,  and  sought  help  from  the  Lord.  The  op- 
position of  the  various  sects  was  great  against  those  called 
"  Christians."  We  were  unpopular,  yet  God  blessed  our 
labors  beyond  others,  and  crowds  flocked  to  hear. 

June  1st,  I  arrived  at  Portsmouth  ;  found  the  brethren 
doing  well.  I  there  met  with  Elder  Joseph  Boody,  of 
New  Durham,  New  Hampshire,  with  whose  communications 
I  was  much  edified.  I  then  went  to  Kittery,  and  on  the 
4th,  Elders  Boody,  Safford,  Young,  and  Joseph  Smith,  and 
myself,  held  a  public  or  general  meeting,  with  the  congre- 
gation, of  one  day.  On  the  5th,  we  went  to  South  Ber- 
wick and  held  a  general,  or  field  meeting,  near  Silas  Good- 
win's. Elder  John  Gray  met  with  us  here.  He  proved 
false.  One  was  converted  at  this  meeting,  who  came  from 
Shapleigh,  Maine. 

On  the  6th,  went  to  Wells,  Maine,  and  held  a  field  meet- 
ing near  William  and  Joseph  Hobbs'.  Had  a  refreshing 
season.  On  the  7th,  went  to  Kennebunk,  Maine,  and  had 
a  field  meeting.  Five  preachers  attended.  Two  converted 
and  baptized.  Our  meetings  were  attended  with  good 
results.  On  the  8th,  Elder  Boody  and  myself  visited 
Wells,  North  Village,  (so  called,)  where  we  both  preached. 
On  the  10th,  we  visited  York,  Maine,  preached  and  broke 


38  LIFE   OF   ELDER   MARK   FERNALD. 

bread  to  the  church.  From  the  11th,  to  the  22d,  I  preach- 
ed daily  at  Portsmouth  or  Kittery  ;  crossing  and  re-cross- 
ing the  Piscataqua  river. 

On  the  22d,  having  an  appointment  at  South  Berwick, 
I  set  out  on  horseback  ;  and  having  proceeded  about  two 
and  a  half  miles,  my  horse  fell  on  a  stone  and  broke  his 
hip  joint.  Here  was  a  dead  loss  of  a  good  beast,  for,  from 
some  unaccountable  cause,  no  one  ever  gave  me  one  dollar 
to  aid  me  in  procuring  another  horse,  although  I  was  quite 
poor.  I  went  on  foot  for  some  miles,  then  hired  a  horse, 
and  reached  my  appointment  in  season.  On  the  24th,  by 
request,  I  went  to  York,  Cape  Neddock,  (so  called)  and 
spoke  twice ;  but  Elder  S.  Appleby  was  so  notional,  that 
he  prayed  twenty- five  times  in  one  afternoon,  and  much 
troubled  me.  For  several  days  after  this  I  preached 
either  in  Kittery  or  Portsmouth.  July  4th,  Elders  Boody, 
D.  Famam,  Young,  SafFord,  J.  Smith  and  myself  met  the 
people  in  the  north  part  of  Kittery,  and  had  a  field  meet- 
ing. It  was  an  interesting  day.  On  the  5th,  I  preached 
in  Berwick  ;  6th,  at  Kennebunk,  and  baptized  two  converts; 
7th,  and  8th,  at  Berwick,  Maine  ;  had  four  meetings  and 
broke  bread  to  the  church ;  9th,  preached  in  Kittery,  and 
for  ten  days  following  preached  in  Kittery  and  Portsmouth 
fourteen  times  ;  had  several  interesting  seasons ;  July 
19th,  went  to  Salisbury  Point,  Massachusetts,  and  preach- 
ed ;  and  from  thence  to  the  Mills  Village,  where  I  had  a 
cat  thrown  at  me  in  the  aisle  at  the  close  of  a  solemn  meet- 
ing. 1  was  treated  roughly  in  language  until  I  told  them 
I  would  not  leave  the  place  for  the  Devil  or  his  children. 
22d,  preached  at  Newton,  New  Hampshire,  thence  back 
to  Amesbury  Mills,  and  preached,  and  baptized  Samuel 


LIFE    OF   ELDER   MARK    FERNALD.  39 

Wadleigh.  24 th,  visited  Haverhill,  Massachusetts,  and 
preached  ;  labored  from  house  to  house  in  Haverhill,  Brad- 
ford and  Rowley,  until  August  2d  ;  then  went  to  Newton, 
and  Amesburj  Mills,  preaching  the  word.  From  there, 
in  company  with  Elder  D.  Farnam,  went  to  Raymond, 
New  Hampshire,  and  had  a  powerful  day  at  David  Moody's; 
although  it  was  rainy  many  attended  meeting.  On  the 
6th,  returned  through  Brentwood,  Exeter,  and  Kingston,  to 
Newton,  w^iere  I  had  a  powerful  preach.  August  8th, 
and  9th,  preached  at  Salisbury  Plains,  and  baptized  two, 
who  shouted  for  joy.  On  the  11th,  they  shut  the  door 
against  me  at  the  Mills  Village,  and  run  up  the  bell  rope. 

I  continued  preaching  daily  in  Salisbury  and  Newton, 
until  August  23d,  having  to  travel  on  foot  chiefly,  as  I  had 
lost  my  horse  in  June,  and  was  not  able  to  buy  or  hire  one. 
On  the  23d,  I  went  to  Portsmouth  in  the  stage  ;  preached 
there,  and  thence  to  Kittery  on  the  27th,  and  preached  at 
a  burial.  I  preached  daily  in  York,  Kittery,  and  Ports- 
mouth, for  some  days.  On  the  5th,  of  September,  in  com- 
pany with  Elders  Osborne,  M.  Cheney,  Crockett,  Dyer, 
and  Thing,  commenced  a  general  meeting  of  two  days,  at 
Lee,  New  Hampshire.  It  was  a  lively  season  as  well  as 
profitable.  On  the  evening  of  the  6th,  I  preached  at  Dur- 
ham Falls;  it  was  a  solemn  time.  From  the  7th,  to  the  15th,  I 
preached  in  Portsmouth,  Newington,  Kittery,  Elliot,  and 
South  Berwick,  preaching  eleven  times  in  six  days,  going 
on  foot  from  town  to  town,  as  no  dollar  came  to  buy  me  a 
horse,  yet  I  must  labor.  On  the  16th,  preached  freely, 
baptized  and  broke  bread  at  South  Berwick.  From  the 
16th,  to  the  21st,  preached  in  the  different  districts  in 
South  Berwick.     From  the  21st,  to  the  28th,  preached 


40  LIFE    OP   ELDER   MARK    EERNALD. 

daily  in  Kitterj.  On  the  29tli  went  to  Nottingham,  New 
Hampshire,  where  several  Elders  and  many  people  met  for 
a  general  meeting,  at  the  house  of  Samuel  Davis.  It  held 
two  days.  The  meeting  was  instructing,  and  good  was 
done.  On  the  evening  of  the  29th,  I  preached  in  North- 
wood,  New  Hampshire.  October  1st,  preached  at  Epsom ; 
3rd,  preached  twice  at  Allenstown  and  once  in  Pembroke. 
Returning,  I  preached  once  in  Candia  and  four  times  in 
New  Market.  On  the  13th,  I  went  from  Kitterj  to  South 
Berwick,  by  water,  and  there  preached  daily  until  the 
19th,  laboring  constantly  to  counteract  evil  influences,  but 
endured  much  trial  and  depression  of  mind.  Preached 
several  times  in  Portsmouth  and  Kittery,  between  the  19th 
and  25th.  On  the  25th,  attended  at  the  ordination  of 
Joseph  Smith,  at  Wells,  Maine.  Elders  Elias  Smith,  Sam- 
uel Rand  and  J.  Gray  were  in  attendance.  Returned 
home  to  Kittery,  through  Berwick,  where  I  preached  once, 
and  held  eight  meetings  in  Kittery. 

In  November  I  started  on  a  journey  North  ;  preached 
in  Berwick  and  Shapleigh,  Maine ;  thence  to  Tuftonbor- 
ough,  New  Hampshire.  On  the  9th,  while  preaching  at 
Tuftonborough  Corner,  an  earthquake  stopped  me.  T. 
Piper  got  awakened.  On  the  10th,  and  11th,  a  general 
meeting  was  held  at  the  meeting  house  at  Sandwich,  New 
Hampshire.  On  the  12th,  the  Elders  met  in  Conference 
at  Hugh  Bean's.  Elders  Smith  and  Buzzell  had  much 
talk  about  union,  and  agreed  sweetly  while  together,  but 
public  prints  afterward  did  not  so  well  agree.  Smith  and 
Buzzell  agreed  as  Christians,  but  not  to  be  one  sect  or  so- 
ciety. I  tarried  a  few  days,  and  on  the  14th,  reached 
South  Wolf  borough.     I  rode  until  late  alone;  none  vrould 


LIFE    OF   ELDER  MARK    FERNALD.  41 

take  me  in  until  I  reached  Isaac  Jones's  house.  Here 
was  a  godly  man  and  woman  ;  they  spoke  for  my  return 
the  next  spring,      I    arrived  home  on  the  ITth. 

My  mind  became  so  much  impressed  with  the  duty  of 
laboring  in  the  vineyard  of  the  Lord,  that  I  was  not  at  rest 
a  day  unless  I  had  some  religious  meeting.  The  sure  ruin 
of  the  wicked,  unless  they  repented,  and  the  worldly  state 
of  many  professed  Christians,  caused  me  very  much  dis- 
tress. I  labored  under  many  fears,  that  my  want  of  learn- 
ing, and  other  qualifications  for  the  Gospel  Ministry,  ren- 
dered me  unfit  to  go  forth  ;  yet  I  could  not  dispose  of  my 
deep  sense  and  feeling,  that  the  spirit  of  God  had  called 
and  impressed  me  to  do  the  best  I  could  to  promote 
Christ's  kingdom  on  earth.  The  remainder  of  November 
I  spent  in  Portsmouth  and  Newington,  New  Hampshire, 
and  in  Elhot,  Kittery,  and  Berwick,  Maine ;  had  several 
solemn  and  awakening  meetings,  and  baptized  a  number  in 
South  Berwick. 

December  I  spent  laboring  in  Kittery,  York  and  South 
Berwick,  Maine,  Porstmouth,  Hampton  Falls,  and  Newton, 
New  Hampshire,  and  Salisbury,  Haverhill  and  Bradford, 
Massachusetts,  preaching  to  the  best  of  my  ability,  and 
baptized  a  few.  I  formed  new  acquaintance  with  many 
pilgrims,  with  whom  I  never  lost  union.  Also  gained 
strength  of  mind  by  speaking  to  hundreds  of  new  hearers, 
and  seeing  weeping  sinners  repent. 


42  LIFE   OF    ELDER   MARK    FERNALD. 


CHAPTER  V. 

VISIT     TO    WOLFBOROUGH     AND      VICimTY. —  A     GLORIOUS 

WORK      OF      GRACE      COMMENCES. ATTENDS      A     FREE 

WILL  BAPTIST  QUARTERLY  MEETING,  AT  SANDWICH. — 
RETURNS  TO  WOLFBOROUGH,  AND  REMAINS  IN  THAT 
VICINITY,  SEEING  MUCH  OF  THE  POWER  OF  GOD.— 
ORGANIZES  A  CHURCH  AT  WOLFBOROUGH,  NEW  HAMP- 
SHIRE.  RETURNS    TO    KITTERY. 

January,  1811,  I  labored  in  Bradford,  Haverhill,  Mass., 
and  in  Newton,  New  Hampshire,  but  was  much  tempted  and 
borne  down  by  infirmity  of  body  and  mind  ;  constantly 
feeling  my  extreme  insufficiency  for  so  important  and  sa- 
cred a  work.  The  latter  part  of  the  month  I  went  to  Sal- 
isbury Point ;  thence  to  Hampton,  Portsmouth,  and  home 
to  Kittery.  It  is  unimportant  to  give  a  detail  of  a  great 
Tariety  of  incidents  which  I  frequently  saw  or  heard,  dur- 
ing the  month.  February :  I  spent  a  few  days  in  Kittery, 
and  Portsmouth ;  thence  to  Hampton  Falls,  Salisbury 
Point,  Newton,  Haverhill,  Bradford,  and  New  Rowley.  I 
labored  much  in  these  towns  ;  had  many  awakening  meet- 
ings in  which  I  believe,  the  Spirit  of  God  assisted  me. 

On  March  7th,  I  returned  from  Massachusetts  to  Kittery, 
Maine,  where  I  labored  until  the  12th,  when  I  started  for 
a  new  field  of  labor  in  New  Hampshire.     I  preached  in 


LIFE    OF   ELDER   MAEK    FERXALD.  4S 

South  Ber\Yick  ;  thence  went  to  Middleton,  New  Hamp- 
shire, and  arrived  at  Wolf  borough  on  the  loth.  I  now 
commenced  an  extensive  labor  in  a  large  field,  viz  :  Wolf- 
borough,  Tuftonborough,  Ossipee,  Wakefield,  Brookfield, 
New  Durham,  Gore  and  Alton.  I  began  at  South  Wolf- 
borough  ;  but  found  manj  contending  about  denomina- 
tional names  and  tenets,  with  too  much  hardness,  which 
was  a  great  trial  to  my  mind,  as  I  cared  but  little  where 
I  labored  or  with  what  people  I  met.  My  hberalitj  was 
opposed,  my  motives  and  ni}^  doings  mis-judged ;  I  soon 
cleared  my  way  however  by  attending  to  my  own  duty  in 
preaching  "Christ  Crucified."  Many  flocked  to  hear,  and 
many  felt  the  word  with  power,  and  many  said  they  never 
saw  it  on  this  fashion,  viz :  to  preach  Bible,  and  prove  all 
by  plain  Bible — pronouncing  all  else  tradition.  I  spoke 
once,  twice,  or  thrice,  every  day.  John  Atwell,  a  young 
Methodist  preacher,  a  good  man,  and  the  Free-will  Bap- 
tist, Elder  Townsend,  united  their  labors  partially,  as  soon 
as  a  good  reformation  had  commenced,  which  was  soon  af- 
ter I  began  my  labor. 

March  25th,  I  went  to  Tuftonborough,  south-west  dis- 
trict ;  had  poor  encouragement.  I  then  visited  Brook- 
field,  Middleton  and  New  Durham,  and  returned  to  Wolf- 
borough.  A  goodly  number  found  Jesus  precious  before 
March  closed. 

April :  I  preached  daily  this  month,  in  various  parts  of 
the  town,  many  flocking  out  to  hear  both  the  preacher  and 
the  converts.  One  woman  on  retiring  from  a  meeting, 
cried  out  and  fell  in  the  road,  crying  to  God  for  mercy ; 
many  gathered  round  her,  and  after  praying,  they  carried 
her  to  a  house,  and  after  some  hours  she  came  forth  re- 


44  LIFE    OF   ELDER   MAEK    FERI^ALD. 

joicing  in  Christ.  During  the  month  I  visited  Wakefield, 
Alton  and  Brookfield  ;  a  few  were  baptized.  On  the  29th, 
about  twelve  related  the  ground  of  their  hope  in  Christ, 
which  gave  good  evidence  to  the  saints,  and  much  joy ; 
and  on  May  1st,  I  ba^ptized  in  the  lake  called  Smith's 
Pond.  On  the  6th,  I  preached  to  a  large  and  enquiring 
assembly,  in  the  Congregational  or  town  meeting-house, 
afterward  town  house.  The  revival  was  very  solemn  ;  but 
little  noise,  save  what  I  made,  and  sinners  weeping 
and  crying  to  Heaven.  I  labored  also  in  the  several  be- 
fore mentioned  towns.  Misrepresentations,  false  reports, 
and  lies,  were  the  product  of  opposition,  yet  we  attended 
to  our  duties.  I  preached  every  day  in  some  one  of  the 
adjoining  towns,  or  in  Wolfborough,  and  baptized  nine  at 
two  baptizings.  On  the  29th,  traveled  to  Portsmouth,  45 
miles,  and  met  the  church  in  the  evening.  In  this  tour  I 
preached  in  Portsmouth,  four  times  in  Kittery,  twice  in 
Dover,  thrice  in  South  Berwick,  and  in  Wolfborough  on 
the  31st.  One  of  the  meetings  in  South  Berwick  contin- 
ued all  night. 

In  June  I  baptized  eight  in  Wolfborough.  The  first 
seven  days  I  preached  in  four  different  towns.  On  the  8th, 
went  to  Sandwich  to  meet  with  the  Free-will  Baptist 
brethren,  in  their  yearly  meeting,  which  continued  to  the 
11th.  The  meetings  w^ere  large,  solemn,  and  spiritual. — 
One  day  the  meeting  was  held  in  a  grove,  many  preachers 
were  present,  and  good  was  done.  At  that  time  'Trinity' 
or  'Trinitarian'  was  not  talked  about.  The  preaching,  ex- 
hortation, and  praying,  was  so  much  one  with  the  Christian 
brethren,  that  there  was  no  disputing  or  shyness  manifested. 
I  was  told  in  their  conference  that  I  ought  to  join  them. 


LIFE    OF   ELDER   MARK    FERNALD.  45 

I  then  returned,  preaching  daily  in  Wolf  borough,  Ossipee, 
&c.  Many  were  seeking  Jesus,  and  converts  -were  multi- 
plied. The  word  spread  most  at  Dimon's  Corner,  where  I 
preached  under  a  large  tree,  but  some  one  deprived  me  of 
it  by  cutting  it  down.  My  health  was  quite  poor,  yet  I 
visited  from  house  to  house,  and  almost  daily  from  town  to 
town,  having  appointments  each  day  in  some  one  of  these 
towns ;  and  often  evening  meetings  also.  My  meetings 
were  often  many  miles  apart,  to  accommodate  all  as  far  as 
possible. 

In  July,  after  attending  twenty-seven  public  meetings 
in  several  towns,  and  after  attending  to  my  usual  labor  of 
visiting,  besides  baptizing  nine,  I  returned  on  the  twenty- 
fifth  home  to  my  brethren  in  Kittery.  I  preached  six 
times  in  Kittery,  once  in  Portsmouth,  and  once  in  York, 
and  the  month  closed. 

On  the  second  day  of  August,  went  to  Berwick,  where 
I  had  labored  much, — preached  four  times  ;  thence  to 
Shapleigh  and  preached  once,  and  thence  to  Wolf  borough. 
Held  twenty-seven  meetings  in  twenty-four  days. 

Preaching  in  a  town  but  once  or  twice  at  one  visit, 
caused  me  much  "travel,  which  I  performed  on  horseback. 
My  health  was  poor  and  I  became  much  worn  dov>'n.  I 
suffered  much.  Our  meetings  however,  were,  in  almost 
every  instance,  powerful,  weeping  seasons,  Avith  new  cases 
of  deep  conviction,  and  crying  openly  for  pardon. 

In  this  month  J.  W.  a  noted  Free  Will  Baptist,  came 
out  strong  against  me,  by  making  false  reports,  and  show- 
ing an  unchristian  temper  and  conduct,  w^hich  grieved  his 
own  brethren  and  wounded  my  friends.  I  demanded  a 
retraction  and  public  confession,  or  I  would  publish  him. 


46  LIFE   OF   ELDER   MARK    FERNALD. 

After  doing  much  evil  he  recalled  his  doings  or  sayings 
publicly.  The  good  reform  continued  to  go  on  and  spread, 
especially  in  Ossipee,  Wakefield  and  Brookfield.  During 
the  month  I  baptized  eleven  in  Wolfborough. 

The  first  fourteen  days  of  September  I  held  twenty-one 
meetings,  and  baptized  four  persons.  I  then  left  to  jour- 
ney south.  Attended  a  Methodist  Quarterly  Meeting, 
which  was  interesting.  The  good  preacher,  preached  upon 
"  a  living  stone."  He  dwelt  much  upon  a  variety  of  valu- 
able stories,  but  found  no  actual  figure  of ''  ahving  stone.' 
I  rose  and  took  liberty  to  speak  of  the  hfe,  virtue,  and  use 
of  the  Eye-Stone  ;  how  it  searched  for  the  obstruction, 
cleansed  the  eye,  and  then  retired.  By  applying  this  to 
Christ  and  his  spiritual  work,  it  caused  a  good  shouting 
among  the  happy  ones.  I  preached  in  Farmington,  and  on 
the  16th,  reached  my  home  in  Kittery.  After  a  week's 
labor  in  Kittery  and  Portsmouth,  I  went  to  Newton,  New 
Hampshire,  and  thence  to  Haverhill  and  Bradford,  Mas- 
sachusetts. On  my  return  I  preached  in  Salisbury  and 
Portsmouth. 

October  1st,  I  preached  in  Kittery  ;  2d,  and  3d,  in  Ber- 
wick, and  4th,  5th,  and  6th,  in  Farmington,  New  Hamp- 
shire, and  baptized  three  converts.  I  then  went  to  Wolf- 
borough,  in  which  town  and  vicinity  I  held  thirty-three 
meetings  in  twenty-four  days.  The  Lord  blessed  the  peo- 
ple with  many  powerful  and  spiritual  meetings,  and  my 
strength  was  equal  to  the  labor.  On  the  20th,  inst.,  I  bap- 
tized Timothy  Piper  in  Wolfborough.  He  was  awakened 
by  an  earthquake  November  9th,  1810,  while  I  was  preach- 
ing at  Tuftonborough,  in  Colonel  Peavy's  house. 


LIFE    OF   ELDER  MARK   FERNALD.  47 

November,  I  held  fifteen  meetings  in  twelve  days,  in 
several  towns,  many  of  which  were  very  interesting.  I 
then  returned  home  to  the  sea  coast,  and  attended  the 
burial  of  an  aunt.  Preached  several  times  in  Kittery  and 
Portsmouth  ;  thence  w^ent  to  Somersworth  where  I  spoke 
once,  and  thence  to  Farmington  ;  and  on  the  23d,  preached 
in  Tuftonborough.  Twelve  meetings  more  closed  the 
month. 

In  December  I  attended  nineteen  meetings  in  eleven 
days,  in  various  places.  A  part  of  the  time  I  was  accom- 
panied by  Elder  Noah  Piper  and  J.  Shepard.  On  the 
12th,  returned  to  Kittery  ;  held  a  few  meetings.  On  the 
21st,  visited  Wolfborough  again,  and  after  holding  twelve 
more  good  meetings,  the  year  1811  closed,  w^hile  I  could 
say,  truly  the  Lord  has  been  good  to  his  poor  servant. 

January,  1812.  Until  this  date  I  had  labored  in  the 
before  mentioned  tow^ns,  preaching  Christ  to  the  people, 
and  baptizing,  as  I  thought  duty  ;  and  as  there  was  so 
much  contention  about  denominational  parties,  I  left  the 
converts  to  join  where  they  chose.  Now  it  was  evident 
that  the  opposition  of  some  leading  persons  had  and  would 
prevent  a  large  majority  of  the  converts,  joining  any  exist- 
ing church  in  Wolfborough.  Accordingly,  on  the  3d,  of 
January,  1812,  I  acknowledged  a  goodly  number  of  breth- 
ren and  sisters,  to  be  a  Church  of  Christ,  and  known  by 
the  term, ''  First  Christian  Church  of  Wolfborough."  The 
church  was  gathered  at  Jacob  Folsom's,  in  the  north-west 
part  of  Wolfborough.  Mr.  Folsom  and  his  family  became 
strongly  attached  to  the  people  called  "  Christians."  His 
son  John  afterward  became  Deacon  of  the  church.     After 


48  LIFE   OF   ELDER   MARK   FERNALD. 

attending  thirty  meetings  in  that  town  and  vicinity,  and 
after  breaking  bread  to  the  new  church,  I  returned  to  mj 
home  at  the  sea  coast,  being  quite  unwell ;  preached  a  few 
tim.es  and  the  month  closed. 


I.IFE    OF   ELDER   MARK    FERNALD.  49 


CHAPTER  VI. 

VISITS     MASSACHUSETTS TAKES      AN      EASTERN    TOUR 

RETURNS  TO  ESSEX  COUNTY,  MASSACHUSETTS OPPO- 
SITION AT  SALEM A  COW  FORCED  INTO  THE  MEET- 
ING  HOUSE ATTENDS     A    GENERAL   MEETING,    AT    CAN- 

DIA,  NEW  HAMPSHIRE,  AND  JOINS  WITH  THE  MINIS- 
TERS    OF     THE     CHRISTIAN     CONNECTION FIGHTS    THE 

DEVIL   AT     A    QUARTERLY     MEETING  — TRAVELS   EXTEN- 


I  commenced  February  at  home  ;  visited  and  held  a 
few  meetings  in  Kittery  and  Portsmouth.  I  then  went  to 
Sahsburv,  Massachusetts  ;  from  thence  to  Essex,  at  a 
place  called  Chebacco,  ^vhere  Elder  John  Rand  preached. 
Had  a  few  meetings,  and  went  to  Gloucester  and  Squam. 
I  returned  to  Essex  and  found  several  "  seeking  Jesus." 
I  visited  Gloucester  three  times  during  the  month,  but 
spent  most  of  the  time  at  Chebacco,  where  a  good  refor- 
mation had  commenced  and  was  progressing. 

It  was  a  cold  and  stormy  season,  yet  I  preached  from 
once  to  thrice  daily.  Many  were  awakened,  and  a  num- 
ber converted.  I  here  became  acquainted  ^vith  a  Christian 
mother,  who  had  a  daughter  that  v/as  an  idiot.  I  expressed 
to  that  mother,  that  she  could  not  mourn  over  the  death  of 

that  daughter.     She  exclaimed,  ''  Oh !  yes  I  should.     I 
5 


50  LIFE   OF   ELDER  MARK    FERNALD. 

was  a  very  proud  woman,  and  this  child  was  the  means  of 
humbling  my  pride  and  bringing  me  to  the  Savior." 

On  the  1st,  and  2d,  of  March,  I  attended  four  meetings, 
gave  my  advice,  and  left  for  Bradford,  Haverhill,  Ames- 
bury,  Salisbury,  Newton  and  Portsmouth,  preaching  in 
each  town.  Reached  home  in  season  to  preach  on  the 
10th  inst.,  and  on  the  14th,  arrived  in  Wolf  borough  again, 
where  I  visited  and  preached  ;  attending  in  that  and  the 
adjoining  towns,  twenty-three  meetings  in  sixteen  days. 

On  the  commencement  of  April,  the  revival  appeared  to 
subside,  and  some  few  trials  arose  in  the  south  section  of 
Wolf  borough  ;  but  timely  admonition  removed  all  difficul- 
ties. I  left  on  the  6th,  inst.,  for  home.  On  my  way,  held 
four  good  meetings  in  Berwick.  I  tarried  in  Kittery  long 
enough  to  hold  two  meetings,  and  then  started  on  a  short 
tour  east.  On  my  way  out,  I  preached  four  times  in  Wells, 
twice  in  Kennebunk,  five  times  in  Portland,  and  ten  times 
in  Gray  and  New  Gloucester.  Returning,  preached  once 
in  Portland,  and  once  in  Kennebunk,  when  the  month 
ended. 

At  Portland  I  united  with  good  Elder  Samuel  Rand  in 
a  revival,  under  his  labors.  Humility  and  harmony  were 
visible  among  them,  (two  H's  that  are  always  in  concord.) 
My  meetings  at  Gray  and  New  Gloucester  were  interest- 
ing. I  had  not  seen  Elder  Stinchfield  for  thirty-one 
months,  and  as  he  had  previously  been  a  helper  to  my 
mind,  I  was  glad  to  find  him  still  useful. 

At  Kennebunk  I  had  some  controversy  about  Calvinism, 
so  called,  with  Elder  Sherbourne.  He  argued  that  a  sin- 
ner had  no  power  to  repent  or  obey  what  God  commanded, 
until  converted.     This  doctrine  I  often  met  from  the  Cal- 


LIFE   OF   ELDER   MARK    FERXALD.  51 

vin  Baptists,  to  check  mj  warning  sinners  to  repent.  I 
had  many  sore  trials  about  what  truth  demanded,  but  gave 
up  to  preach  and  urge  all  that  God's  word  would  justify. 
So  I  urged  the  stronger.  There  was  a  revival  among 
children  at  this  time.  One  three-foot  Christian,  six  and 
a  half  years  old,  prayed  well  in  meeting. 

I  preached  in  Wells,  Kittery,  and  Portsmouth,  until  the 
12th,  of  May,  when  I  journeyed  to  Salisbury  Point,  Essex, 
and  Salem.  Held  eight  meetings  which  were  encour- 
aging, and  baptized  two.  On  the  evening  of  the  21st,  in 
Salem,  after  Elder  Abner  Jones  had  preached,  Elder  John 
Colby  being  present,  while  I  was,  praying,  some  vile  ones 
of  the  war  party  endeavored  to  force  a  cow  into  the  aisle 
of  the  meeting-house  ;  but  the  powerful  light  of  the  chan- 
delier, together  with  the  heart-failing  of  some,  prevented 
the  shutting  of  the  door  to  enclose  the  cow  in  the  house  ; 
so  Satan  got  defeated.  It  being  "  war  time,"  we  were 
much  troubled  in  sea-port  towns ;  especially  in  Portsmouth 
and  Kittery,  where  the  militia  were  stationed  by  hundreds. 
War  and  Christianity  do  not  agree. 

I  went  to  Chebacco  to  settle  difficulties  that  existed  be- 
tween the  preacher  and  deacon.  The  Lord  gave  me  suc- 
cess. Their  letters  were  burnt  in  the  meeting.  I  returned 
to  Salem  and  Marblehead,  laboring  to  the  close  of  the 
month.  Continued  in  Salem  until  the  4th,  of  June,  when 
I  attended  to  the  ordinance  of  baptism,  and  then  left 
to  attend  a  general  meeting,  so  called,  which  was 
appointed  to  be  hold  en  at  Candia,  New  Hampshire,  com- 
mencing June  6th.  Elders  Jones,  Farnum,  Young,  Bean, 
and  others  were  present.  We  baptized,  broke  bread,  and 
held  a  preachers'  Conference. 


62  LIFE    OF   ELDER   MARK    FERNALD, 

Until  this  time  I  had  never  received  any  public  ac- 
knowledgement of  being  connected  with  any  company  of 
preachers.  The  Elders  present  requested  my  union  with 
them  ;  and  Elders  Jones,  Farnum,  and  Young  gave  me  the 
"  right  hand  of  fellowship,"  June  8th,  1812.  From  that 
time  I  considered  myself  belonging  to  a  connection  of 
preachers,  although  not  formally  organized. 

I  then  started  for  Sandwich,  New  Hampshire,  to  attend 
the  Free-will  Baptist  yearly  meeting,  which  was  to  be 
holden  on  the  13th,  and  14th,  inst.,  preaching  in  Pittsfield 
and  Wolf  borough  as  I  went.  The  yearly  meeting  was  a 
good  season.  I  returned  to  Tuftonborough  and  Wolf  bor- 
ough and  held  eighteen  meetings,  some  of  which  the  Lord 
blessed. 

The  1st,  of  July  I  returned  to  South  Berwick.  I  held 
meetings  for  two  weeks  in  Berwick,  York  and  Kittery. 
Then  went  to  Bradford  and  Salem,  and  had  seven  meet- 
ings. Then  to  Chebacco ;  thence  to  Hampton,  New 
Hampshire,  and  home.  I  saw  but  little  revival  this  month, 
but  had  several  precious  seasons.  On  the  4th,  and  5th,  we 
held  field  meetings  in  South  Berwick,  which  were  good, 
and  owned  of  the  Lord,  but  the  ungodly  made  great  dis- 
turbance. 

There  were  generally  large  gatherings  at  these  meet- 
ings. We  held  them  one  day  in  each  place,  and  found 
them  profitable. 

In  August  I  attended  six  meetings  in  Kittery,  and  then 
visited  Wolf  borough  and  held  seven  meetings  ;  thence  to 
Limington,  Maine,  where  I  preached  twice.  I  then  went 
to  Gray  and  New  Gloucester,  where  I  arrived  on  the  11th. 
Held  six  meetings  in  these  towns.     Deacon  G.  Lathom 


LIFE   OF   ELDER   MARK    FERNALD.  53 

informed  me  that  the  church  and  its  friends  were  in  great 
trouble  on  account  of  some  imprudent  or  unguarded  move- 
ments of  their  minister,  Elder  E.  S.  Brother  L.  went 
with  me  to  J.  W.'s,  where  the  trial  originated,  and  re- 
quested a  statement  of  facts,  which  was  freely  and  fully 
made.  We  hoped  no  actual  wickedness  had  been  com- 
mitted, but  circumstances  looked  dark.  Reports  fled  far 
and  wide.  I  did  my  best  to  help  him  against  his  foes. 
He  became  sick,  and  while  confined,  penned  his  "  Me- 
moirs." 

I  visited  Portland  and  Saco,  and  on  the  20th,  attended 
the  Free-will  Baptist  Quarterly  Meeting.  Elder  John 
Buzzell  and  myself  preached,  and  Joseph  Goodwin,  of 
Wells,  Maine,  was  ordained  to  the  work  of  the  gospel  min- 
istry. After  sunset,  rode  ten  miles  to  Buxton,  and 
preached. 

August  22d,  I  was  at  a  Free-will  Baptist  Quarterly  Meet- 
ing in  the  east  of  Wolf  borough.  Much  had  been  said, 
and  evil  had  spread,  about  Elder  Fernald's  denying  the 
Trinity.  Many  preachers  were  present,  some  of  which 
were  strangers  to  me  ;  a  meeting  house  full  of  people  and 
a  crowd  outside.  On  the  23d,  the  preachers  c?omjce?M me 
to  preach  first.  I  took  ofi"  my  coat,  tied  a  handkerchief 
round  my  head,  another  round  my  body,  and  said  to  them, 
"  I  am  going  to  fight  the  Devil."  I  spoke  from  Hebrews, 
1  : 1,  2.  In  twenty  minutes  some  were  screaming  at  the 
top  of  their  voices  ;  ministers  w^ere  crying  amen,  and  sin- 
ners were  in  distress.  I  told  them  I  had  been  accused 
of  holding  a  doctrine,  or  sentiments  about  Christ,  that  I 
would  not  preach  ;  but  let  it  now  be  known,  that  only  one 
thing  prevents  King  George  and  Bonaparte  from  hear- 


54  LIFE   OF   ELDER   MARK    FERNALD. 

ing  my  sentiments  this  day,  and  that  thing  is  mj  lack  of 
voice.  This  silenced  my  foes.  I  further  told  them,  that 
they  were  welcome  to  all  the  converts ;  only  feed  and 
take  good  care  of  them  ;  but  if  they  yoked  and  bound  the 
lambs,  I  would  break  the  yoke,  and  take  care  of  them  my- 
self.    God  blessed  the  meeting. 

I  labored  the  last  of  the  month  in  Wolf  borough  and 
Tuftonborough.  My  labor  was  fatiguing,  holding  seven- 
teen meetings  in  eight  days,  and  riding  ninety  miles  in  the 
time  on  horseback.  On  the  31st,  inst.  I  baptized  five  in 
Wolf  borough. 

September :  I  visited  my  parents  at  Kittery.  At  that 
time  they  were  in  constant  fear,  as  war  ships  were  on  the 
coast,  and  alarms  were  given  by  night,  &c.  After  preach- 
ing several  times  in  Kittery,  I  went  to  Berwick,  preached 
a  few  times  and  returned  again  to  Kittery.  I  then 
-vdsited  Wells,  Kennebunk,  Saco,  Portland,  Gray  and  New 
Gloucester,  preaching  once  or  more  in  each  place.  In  Gray 
and  New  Gloucester,  preached  once  or  twice  each  day  to  the 
close  of  the  month,  laboring  hard  to  raise  the  church  from 
its  trials  and  sunken  state.  In  October,  I  remained  seven 
days,  and  held  eleven  meetings,  in  Gray  and  New  Glou- 
cester. Went  to  Gorham  on  the  9th  ;  and  on  the  10th,  and 
11th,  in  company  with  Elders  S.  Rand,  Z.  Leach,  and  S^ 
Hutchinson,  held  a  general  meeting  in  the  Free-will  Bap- 
tist meeting  house.  It  was  a  good  season.  I  then  started 
for  Wolf  borough.  On  the  way  preached  in  Standish, 
twice  in  Limington,  four  times  in  Wakefield,  three  times 
at  the  Free-will  Baptist  Quarterly  Meeting,  at  Waterbor- 
ough,  which  commenced  on  the  21st,  inst.  ;  once  in  New- 
field,  once  in  Ossipee,  once   in  Brookfield,  and  reached 


LIFE    OF    ELDER   MARK    FERNALD.  55 

Wolf  borough  on  the  31st,  preached  once,  and  the  month 
closed. 

It  will  be  observed  that  much  of  mj  labor  was  among 
the  Free-will  Baptists.  In  most  of  the  places  I  visited, 
there  were  no  churches  of  the  "  Christian  connection  ;" 
and  I  cared  not  where  I  labored,  if  the  people  were  ben- 
efitted, and  souls  saved.  The  Free-will  Baptists  received 
me  kindly  and  with  open  heartedness  ;  made  no  objection 
to  my  doctrine  or  practice.  Hence  I  assisted  them  in 
church  labors,  had  revivals  among  them,  and  baptized  for 
them,  until  some  of  their  preachers  got  in  the  doctrine 
called  Trinity,  as  a  means  of  hardness,  &c. 

November  :  From  the  1st,  to  the  6th,  I  had  eleven 
meetings  in  Wolf  borough  and  Tuftonborough.  On  the  7th, 
went  to  Parsonsfield,  Maine. 

The  Free-will  Baptists  held  their  yearly  meeting  at 
Parsonsfield  this  year,  on  the  7th,  8th,  and  9th,  of  Novem- 
ber. There  was  a  large  gathering,  much  good  preaching, 
and  other  improvement.  I  preached  once.  Thence  to 
Newfield,  Shapleigh  and  Brookfield,  preaching  freely  in 
each  place.  I  then  returned  to  Wolfborough,  preached 
eight  times  in  five  days  ;  and  then  left  for  Farmington, 
Somersworth,  Dover,  Berwick  and  Kittery,  preaching  in 
each  of  these  places.  Many  of  the  meetings  in  this  month 
were  good,  and  I  believed  the  Lord  helped  me,  and  much 
good  was  done. 

December  :  After  spending  seven  days  in  visiting  and 
preaching  in  Kittery,  went  to  Kensington,  New  Hamp- 
shire, and  preached  in  the  house  of  Elijah  Shaw,  father  of 
Elder  Elijah  Shaw.  Thence  to  Salisbury,  Amesbury, 
South  Hampton,  Haverhill,  Bradford,  Salem,  Gloucester, 


56  LIFE    OP   ELDER   MARK    FERNALD. 

and  Essex,  or  Chebacco,  preaching  in  some  of  these  places 
once,  and  in  some  of  them  more  than  once.  I  also  visited 
and  preached  in  Boston  and  Reading.  Christ's  Gospel 
lay  much  upon  mj  mind.  Salvation  of  sinners  was  my 
chief  study. 

'•  I  ran  with  all  my  might, 
And  labored  day  and  night." 


LIFE    OF    ELDER   MARK    FERNALD.  57 


CHAPTER  VII. 

1813    AND     1814. TOUR     EAST FREQUENT     Lx\BORS    IN 

THE  VICINITY  OF  WOLFBOROUGH,  N.  H.,  AND  PORT- 
LAND,  MAINE REVIVAL   IN    KITTERY OPPOSITION 

SEVERAL  MEETINGS  UNTIL  SUNRISE DECLINES  GATH- 
ERING A  CHURCH  AT  NEW  GLOUCESTER,  MAINE. REA- 
SONS  FOR   LABORING   WITH   THE   FREE-WILL  BAPTISTS 

TOUR  SOUTH GENERAL   MEETING  AT  CUMBERLAND,  R.  I. 

VISITS  NEWTON,  N.  H. EFFECTS  OF  THE  WAR  UP- 
ON  THE   MORALS    OF   THE   PEOPLE   AT   KITTERY. 

January,  1813  :  I  remained  in  Salem  until  the  14th, 
inst.  There  was  much  seriousness  among  the  people  ; 
seven,  all  awakened,  distressed  sinners,  sought  Christ ; 
and  mj  meetings  were  in  most  instances  interesting,  yet  I 
had  severe  trials  on  account  of  my  little  success  in  preach- 
ing. On  the  14th,  I  started  for  Kittery,  preaching  in 
New  Rowley,  (now  Georgetown)  Bradford  and  Haverhill. 
When  I  reached  home  I  found  my  father  had  narrowly 
escaped  drowning.  The  remainder  of  this  month  was 
stormy.     I  tried  to  improve  my  time  in  Kittery. 

February  3d,  I  started  on  another  tour,  fulfilling  the 
command,  "  as  ye  go  preach."  Preached  in  Berwick, 
Somersworth,  Farmington,  and  Wolfborough.  Tarried  in 
Wolfborough   and  vicinity    until  the   23d,    visiting  and 


58  LIFE    OF   ELDER   MARK    FERNALD. 

preaching  dailj.  During  this  visit  I  again  met  with  my 
good  brother  Noah  Piper,  of  Stratham,  who  occasionally 
visited  this  region  to  preach,  &c.  Our  meetings  were  en- 
couraging, but  no  revival. 

On  the  23d,  went  to  Effingham,  and  preached  once. 
The  Lord  had  recently  shown  mercy  to  penitents.  It  was 
hoped  that  fifty  had  been  converted.  However,  my  spirit 
led  me  east.  Accordingly  I  started  for  New  Gloucester, 
preaching  in  Limington  as  I  went.  I  reached  New  Glou- 
cester on  the  25th,  and  remained  until  the  19th,  of  March, 
preaching  and  holding  church  meetings ;  laboring  to  revive 
the  sadly  scattered  Free-will  Baptist  Church.  We  had 
several  very  solemn  and  awakening  meetings,  but  the 
church  had  long  been  in  a  slain  or  prostrated  state.  I  was 
invited  to  gather  a  church  under  the  name  of  the  people 
to  which  I  belonged, — "  Christian ;"  but  I  refused,  and 
did  my  best  to  reclaim  the  scattered  sheep  of  Christ,  be- 
lieving I  was  at  work  for  him.  We  had  several  church 
meetings  for  consultation  and  labor.  The  church  chose 
five  of  the  brethren  as  helps,  or  deacons,  to  look  after  and 
recover  the  scattered  flock. 

After  freeing  my  mind,  by  constant  labor,  visiting  and 
preaching,  I  left  for  Portland,  where  I  preached  five  times, 
freely.  In  prosecuting  my  tour,  I  preached  five  times  in 
Gorham,  once  in  Buxton,  and  once  in  Ossipee,  and  March 
ended. 

April :  I  attended  six  meetings  in  Wolf  borough  ;  two 
in  Berwick,  and  reached  my  brother's,  in  Kittery,  on  the 
8th,  inst.  in  season  to  hear  Dr.  Abner  Jones  preach.  I 
narrowly  escaped  a  serious  injury,  from  the  falling  of  my 
horse.     I  rode  wholly  on  horseback,  for  ten  years,  except 


LIFE   OF  ELDER  MARK    FERNALD.  59 

in  winter.  Continued  in  Kittery  and  Portsmouth  some 
weeks.  The  Lord  revived  his  work,  and  converted  a  few 
in  mj  native  Kittery.  I  had  from  one  to  three  meetings 
every  day  ;  and  Heaven  blessed  us,  although  Satan  raged 
at  me  through  his  servants.  Remained  in  Kittery  until 
May  17th,  when  I  journeyed  east.  Spoke  in  Wells,  and 
on  the  19th,  met  with  the  Free-will  Baptists  in  their  quar- 
terly meeting,  at  Standish-Neck.  Preached^once.  Thence 
to  Gray  and  New  Gloucester  ;  preached  a  few  times ;  also 
in  Portland,  Gorham,  Saco,  and  Kennebunk,  and  returned 
home  on  the  28th,  in  season  to  preach  at  evening.  By 
preaching  five  times  more,  May  closed. 

I  remained  in  Kittery  until  the  10th,  of  June,  preaching 
daily.  Our  meetings  were  powerful ;  several  distressed 
souls  cried  aloud  for  pardon.  One  meeting  continued  until 
two  o'clock  in  the  morning.  Yet  I  believed  duty  called 
me  into  New  Hampshire.  On  the  11th,  I  spoke  in  Farm- 
ington.  New  Hampshire.  Thence,  in  company  with  broth- 
er A.  Jones,  spent  two  days  at  the  Free-will  Baptist  year- 
ly meeting,  at  New  Durham.  One  meeting  lasted  until 
midnight,  in  which  sinners  cried  for  help,  and  backsliders 
confessed.  From  the  15th,  to  the  23d,  preached  in  Wolf- 
borough  and  Ossipee.  Baptized  five  in  Ossipee,  where 
the  Lord  blessed  my  labors. 

On  the  23d,  I  rode  forty-six  miles,  to  my  home,  and  to 
my  surprise,  learned  that  a  young  woman  had  drowned 
herself,  who  was  happy  ten  days  before  ;  still  I  had  hope 
in  her  case,  as  she  had  disobeyed  an  impression  to  be  bap- 
tized, I  was  not  sure  that  she  in  temptation,  did  not  under- 
take to  baptize  herself.  In  my  meetings  at  this  time  I 
had  good   liberty,    found  many    minds  still  tender,   and 


60  LIFE   OF   ELDER   MARK    FERNALD. 

mourners  increased  in  number.  I  publicly  told  the  peo- 
ple mj  errand  home,  and  if  thej  would  obey  God,  well : 
if  not,  I  should,  like  Abraham's  servant,  go.  We  had  a 
day  of  Fasting  and  Prayer.  The  evening  meeting  con- 
tinued until  near  sunrise  the  next  morning.  Four  pro- 
fessed to  find  pardon  and  salvation,  and  many  cried  aloud 
for  mercy. 

Many  call  such  seasons  confusion  and  delusion  ;  but 
had  such  been  present,  the  deep  penitence,  weeping  and 
fervent  prayers,  with  the  inexpressible  joy  of  those  deliv- 
ered, they  must  have  believed  the  true  Spirit  of  God  was 
operating  on  the  hearts  of  sinners.  Such  a  scene  might 
have  been  insurmountable  to  those  who  deny  the  direct  ^ 
impression  of  the  Spirit  of  God  on  the  heart  of  the  sinner. 
On  the  29th,  another  meeting  continued  until  sunrise. 

July:  I  continued  holding  meetings,  once,  twice,  and 
thrice  daily.  Elias  Smith  visited  us  during  the  month. 
On  the  4th,  I  baptized  two,  and  at  three  baptizing  seasons, 
in  the  month,  ten  Avere  baptized  in  the  Atlantic.  Many 
meetings  Avere  glorious,  others  trying  ;  had  to  disown  two 
old  professors.  My  enemies  seemed  to  think  they  had  a 
right  to  prove  that  saying  of  Christ,  true,  "A  prophet  is 
not  without  honor,  save  in  his  own  country,"  &c.  They 
tried  hard  to  disturb  our  meetings,  by  stoning  the  house, 
staving  the  door,  insulting  the  people,  and  sending  deluded 
professors  to  impose  their  nervous  notions  upon  us,  to  our 
disgrace ;  yet  through  Christ's  truth  and  spirit,  and  our 
energy,  we  triumphed,  and  souls  were  frequently  con- 
verted. 

August :  Continued  to  have  meetings  daily,  God  bless- 
ing us.      On   the  8th,  baptized  five  ;  same  evening  two 


LIFE    OF   ELDER   MARK    FERNALD.  61 

found  peace  in  Christ.  Had  a  few  meetings  in  York  ; 
some  were  serious,  while  some  laughed,  mocked,  and  ap- 
peared filled  with  the  Devil. 

I  was  at  this  time  troubled  with  Asthma,  brought  on  bj 
much  exposure ;  suffered  much  with  it.  Believing  dutj 
called  me  East,  I  baptized  again,  and  on  the  23d,  started 
for  Graj.  25th,  met  the  Free-will  Baptist  quarterly 
meeting.  By  request,  preached  twice  ;  also  the  next  eve- 
ning. Several  were  much  awakened,  others  rejoiced.  I 
then  visited  and  preached  in  New  Gloucester,  Portland, 
Gorham,  and  Scarborough,  and  returned  to  Kitterj  on  the 
4th,  of  September.  Preached  as  usual,  daily,  in  Kittery, 
York,  and  Portsmouth,  having  good  encouragement,  but 
some  church  labor.  Baptized  twice.  On  the  22d,  went 
to  Wolfborough,  preached  daily  one  week,  baptized  once. 
Then  returned  to  Kittery,  having  tAvo  meetings  by  the 
way. 

October :  I  labored  daily  for  Zion's  cause,  in  Kittery, 
York,  and  Wells.  The  revival  appeared  to  stop  through 
the  unfaithfulness  of  professors.  Baptized  three  in  Kit- 
tery, and  two  in  York.  Went  to  New  Gloucester  on  the 
30th.  At  my  first  meeting  I  was  shit  up,  and  sat  down, 
tried.  The  next  meeting  was  glorious  and  powerful; 
many  wept. 

November :  Preached  in  Windham ;  thence  to  Gorham 
and  attended  the  Free-will  Baptist  yearly  meeting  on  the 
6th,  and  7th.  The  meeting  house  was  full,  and  many  out- 
side. I  preached  once,  standing  in  the  door.  I  believe 
the  Lord  helped  me  preach  forty-five  minutes.  It  was 
said  my  voice  was  heard  two  miles  distant.  Of  this  I 
cared  not.     Many    were  deeply  impressed.     Tarried  in 


62  LIFE    OF    ELDER   MARK  FERNALD. 

Gorham  several  days,  and  had  many  interesting  meetings. 
Also  baptized  Elder  Clement  Phinney's  sister  Hannah.  I 
here  remark,  that  the  reason  why  I  attended  the  yearly 
and  quarterly  meetings  of  the  Free-will  Baptists,  as  well 
as  the  reason  why  I  labored  so  much  among  them,  was  the 
earnest  solicitation  of  their  ministers  and  people,  that  I 
should  do  so.  Some  of  my  brethren  thought  I  erred. 
Perhaps  I  did. 

On  my  return  home,  I  spoke  in  Scarborough  and  Saco. 
Devoted  the  remainder  of  November  to  labor  in  Kittery 
and  York.  Baptized  in  Kitterj^  Journeyed  by  the  way 
of  Berwick  where  I  preached  twice,  to  Farmington,  New 
Hampshire  ;  thence  to  Wolf  borough  ;  I  labored  there  and 
in  the  adjoining  towns,  daily,  until  the  17th,  of  December. 
No  special  revival.  Returned  to  Kittery,  and  continued 
my  labors  in  Kittery,  and  in  the  vicinity,  to  the  close  of 
1813.  I  could  say  the  Lord  had  helped  his  poor  servant 
this  year,  also. 

January,  1814 :  This  month  I  only  travelled  to  Saco, 
Wells,  Alfred,  and  Berwick,  but  labored  regardless  of 
weather,  unless  very  severe.  Meetings  were  interesting, 
many  attending,  and  prospects  good,  especially  in  the  west 
part  of  York,  where  there  was  a  deep  solemnity  and  great 
awakening.  Two  young  women,  sisters,  were  forbidden 
to  attend  my  meetings ;  and  if  they  did  attend,  a  cruel 
father  threatened  to  close  his  doors  against  them,  which 
he  accordingly  did.  They  being  in  deep  distress  of  soul, 
reasoned  with  him  at  his  window,  with  tears  and  strong 
cries.  They  left  all  for  Christ,  got  converted,  and  the 
father  relented,  and  received  them  again  to  their  home. 

In  February,  I  attended  from  six  to  ten  meetings  each 


LIFE    OF   ELDER   MARK    FERNALD.  63 

week  in  Kittery,  Berwick  and  Somersworth.  Several 
were  converted  in  Kittery  and  Berwick.  I  tarried  but  a 
few  days  in  any  one  town,  at  a  time,  that  many  might  have 
an  opportunity  of  hearing,  more  frequently.  I  did  not 
grow  dull  for  want  of  opposition.  Satan  and  I  were  at 
open  w^ar,  and  his  poor,  swearing,  drunken  and  lewd  ser- 
vants would  rage  against  the  work  of  reformation,  and  try 
to  destroy  my  influence ;  but  the  Lord  gave  me  victory. 

Through  March,  I  continued  my  labors,  as  I  had  done 
in  February,  with  the  satisfaction  of  seeing  many  weep 
under  the  word. 

April :  I  labored  the  first  part  of  this  month,  daily,  and 
evenings,  as  usual.  But  English  vessels  of  war  being  in 
the  harbor,  threatening  destruction,  caused  much  anxiety 
and  trouble.  My  home  was  shut  ujy;  the  family  having 
removed  to  a  retired  place,  yet  my  aged  parents  remained 
at  their  residence.  I  did  what  I  could  to  encourage  them, 
and  felt  that  War  and  Christianity  surely  do  not  agree. 
After  baptizing  four  at  Kittery,  and  three  at  Berwick,  I 
went  to  Wolf  borough. 

In  May,  I  spent  two  weeks  in  Wolf  borough,  and  the 
adjoining  towns,  and  held  nineteen  meetings,  in  several  of 
which,  saints  rejoiced,  and  sinners  wept  and  requested 
prayers. 

I  then  returned  to  Kittery,  held  thirteen  meetings,  and 
then  went  to  South  Berwick,  and  preached  nine  times ; 
once  was  at  the  burial  of  P.  Emery,  a  godly  woman ;  a 
very  large  collection  of  people  were  together,  and  the  Lord 
helped. 

I  spoke  in  Somersworth,  where  the  people  were  gener- 
ally of  steady  habits ;  but  certain  sons  of  Behal,  beset  the 


64  LIFE   OF   ELDER   MARK   FERI^TALD. 

house,  shouted,  hooted,  threw  stones,  and  took  a  horse 
which  the  J  supposed  was  mine,  (as  thej  had  done  before) 
and  raced  him  with  savage  hatred.  Yet  the  Lord  gave 
me  calmness  to  show  the  path  to  glory. 

June  :  Gave  one  more  preach  in  Somersworth.  Then 
went  to  Shapleigh,  had  a  few  good  meetings.  Heard  a 
few  converts  rejoice.  Next,  to  Wakefield,  where  the  Lord 
gave  me  freedom.  Elders  P.  Tinglej,  and  H.  Goodwin, 
were  among  mj  attentive  hearers.  Returning,  preached 
freelj  in  Shapleigh,  (now  Acton,)  Lebanon,  and  Berwick. 
Had  a  few  meetings  in  Kittery  and  York.  Our  meetings 
in  York,  were  very  interesting. 

On  the  21st,  preached  in  Portsmouth,  and  tarried  all 
night,  at  the  residence  of  A.  Dearborne,  State  Commissary. 
At  midnight,  guns  were  fired,  and  bells  were  rung,  to  give 
an  alarm,  that  the  British  were  landing  at  Rye,  five  miles 
distant.  Brother  Dearborne  came  to  my  chamber,  in- 
formed me  of  the  tumult,  and  then  hastily  repaired  to  the 
Court  House,  to  deal  out  guns,  powder,  and  balls,  this  be- 
ing his  office  ivorh.  It  proved  a  false  alarm  ;  but  oh  !  the 
feelings  of  heart  for  an  hour ;  wives  expecting  dead  hus- 
bands, mothers  dead  sons,  and  children  dead  fathers,  be- 
fore daylight.  I  prayed  God  to  overrule  it,  and  prevent 
bloodshed.  I  heartily  abhorred  war,  and  have  ever  preached 
against  it,  considering  it  a  foolish  and  unnecessary  way  to 
quiet  strife. 

On  the  24th,  went  to  Wolf  borough,  where  I  preached  a 
few  times,  and  baptized.  Preached  in  Tuftonborough.  A 
woman  requesting  baptism,  her  husband  ran  out  of  the 
meeting,  but  soon  returned  in  a  rage,  laid  hold  on  her  to 
drag  her  out,  raving  fiercely,  which  convinced  all  what 


LIFE   OF   ELDER   MARK   FERNALD.  65 

kind  of  a  Christian  lie  was.  Returned  to  Kittery  and 
Berwick,  and  spent  a  few  days. 

In  July,  I  resumed  my  journeyings.  Preached  in  Ber- 
wick once,  Somers worth  once,  Farmington  six  times,  and 
baptized  ;  New  Durham  once.  Wolf  borough  twice,  Tuf- 
tonborough  twice,  Ossipee  twice  ;  then  attended  a  general 
meeting  at  Wakefield.  One  thousand  or  twelve  hundred 
people  were  in  attendance,  but  preachers  who  were  ex- 
pected to  attend  did  not,  consequently  I  preached  five 
times.  The  Lord  blessed  us  if  men  failed.  I  then  re- 
turned to  Wolfborough,  preaching  in  Ossipee,  Brookfield, 
and  Tuftonborough  by  the  way,  which  ended  a  month  of 
profitable  labor,  I  hope. 

In  this  month  I  had  two  severe  trials.  One  was,  a  few 
converts  at  South  Wolfborough  sent  to  Lebanon  to  the 
Calvinist  Baptist  Association,  for  help,  stating  there  had 
not  been  five  gospel  sermons  preached  among  them  for  the 
year  past.  This  was  the  fruit  of  false  opinion,  and  caused 
hardness  and  disunion. 

The  other  was,  and  it  was  severe  indeed :  I  baptized  a 
youth  at  Farmington,  by  special  request.  I  had  preached 
there  frequently.  An  aged  and  highly  esteemed  preacher, 
whom  I  loved,  reproved  me  cruelly  for  entering  his  field 
of  labor.  He  said  he  had  no  more  fellowship  with  my  do- 
ing so,  than  he  had  with  murder.  His  spirit  and  talk 
wounded  me  deeply.  I  was  astonished  at  such  selfish- 
ness in  a  good  man,  and  could  say  "  Trust  not  in  a  broth- 
er." I  considered  the  cause  of  Christ  one  everywhere  ; 
and  that  churches  and  candidates  had  a  just  right  to 
choose  their  own  administrator.     It  was  a  lesson  to  me. 


6* 


QQ  LIFE    OF   ELDER   MARK   FERXALD. 

I  returned  to  Kitterj  on  the  Gth,  of  August.  Meetings 
soon  became  very  interesting,  and  soon  there  were  several 
distressed  and  enquiring  souls :  and  soon,  too,  the  voice  of 
converts  was  heard.  Preached  in  Kitterj  and  York  un- 
til the  17th  inst.,  when  I  went  to  Barnstead  and  attended 
the  Free-will  Baptist  quarterly  meeting,  preached  once, 
and  thence  to  Farmington  ;  and  then  to  Wolf  borough  and 
attended  another  Free-will  Baptist  quarterly  meeting.  In 
consequence  of  not  doing  my  duty  I  suffered  much,  and 
others  suffered  also.  I  then  visited  Limington,  and  from 
thence  to  Gorham,  where  our  meetings  were  good.  Sev- 
eral had  found  peace,  who  dated  their  awakening  to  my 
preaching,  during  the  last  visit  to  that  place.  I  baptized 
Edmund  Phinney,  father  of  Elder  Clement  Phinney.  I 
labored  to  the  close  of  the  month  in  Gorham,  Windham, 
Portland,  and  Gray,  I  hope  successfully. 

In  September,  I  held  a  few  meetings  in  Gray,  New 
Gloucester  and  Windham.  Returned  to  Gorham  in  com- 
pany with  Elder  George  Lamb,  spoke  a  few  times  and  bap- 
tized, but  as  a  war  alarm  called  the  militia  to  Portland,  I 
left  for  Scarborough,  where  some  cried  for  mercy.  Re- 
turned to  Kittery  on  the  lOth,  and  had  some  very  solemn, 
awakening  meetings,  but  an  intended  journey  south,  pre- 
vented my  stay  at  home. 

On  my  journey  to  Rhode  Island,  preached  once  in  Brad- 
ford, Massachusetts.  On  the  IGth,  met  in  a  general  meet- 
ing held  in  Cumberland,  Rhode  Island,  by  my  Christian 
brethren.  Elders  Benjamin  Taylor,  Daniel  Hix,  and  my- 
self preached.  There  were  seven  other  preaching  breth- 
ren present,  who  took  part  in  the  meetings,  which  were 


LIFE    OF   ELDER   MARK    FERNALD.  67 

large  and  profitable.  Many  attended  for  the  purpose  of 
becoming  better  acquainted  with  the  people  called  "  Chris- 
tians." 

After  holding  nine  good  meetings  in  Cumberland,  and 
one  in  Providence,  went  to  Burrilville  and  preached  five 
times,  with  freedom ;  thence  to  Mendon,  Massachusetts, 
and  preached  once,  and  thence  to  Boston,  Reading,  and 
Salem,  preaching  to  the  people  ;  and  September  ended 
with  thirty-six  meetings,  and  much  journeying.  I  would 
remark,  that  the  meeting  in  Burrilville  was  a  general  meet- 
ing, held  on  the  24th,  and  25th,  by  Elders  John  Colby, 
Ebenezer  Chase  and  myself.     It  was  blessed. 

In  October  I  preached  thrice  at  Bradford,  and  once  in 
Haverhill,  Massachusetts.  Then  Avent  to  Kewton,  New 
Hampshire,  where  thirty  or  forty  had  been  converted  since 
my  last  visit  there.  After  preaching  and  instructing,  I 
returned  to  Kittery  on  the  8th,  inst.  Had  some  meetings 
in  Kittery,  and  also  in  York  ;  but  war  (the  curse  of 
Christianity)  had  stationed  a  large  body  of  militia  from 
the  country,  in  our  town,  many  of  which  attended  meeting, 
but  I  could  do  but  little ;  consequently,  on  the  17th,  I  left 
for  Wolf  borough,  New  Hampshire,  preaching  at  Berwick 
and  Farmington  by  the  way.  After  attending  eleven 
meetings  in  five  towns,  beside  visiting  daily,  I  returned 
home  on  the  29th.  Attended  four  meetings,  baptized  once, 
and  October  was  gone. 

In  November,  I  went  to  Wells.  Found  some  fifteen 
happy  converts ;  preached  but  twice.  I  had  taken  a 
violent  cold,  by  exposure  in  a  snow  storm  ;  was  sick,  but 
soon  reached  home. 


68  LIFE   OF   ELDER  MARK    FERNALD. 

After  attending  eight  meetings  in  Kitterj  and  York,  I 
went  to  Bradford  and  Salem,  Massachusetts,  where  I  spoke 
to  much  people,  at  eight  meetings  ;  saw  some  revival  and 
one  convert.  Having  performed  all  my  journeying  on 
horseback,  my  beast,  though  good,^was  unfit  for  me,  and  I 
sold  him,  and  took  stage  for  Hampton,  New  Hampshire, 
thence  to  Kittery,  where  I  found  the  spotted  fever,  killing 
both  soldiers  and  citizens. 

The  war  affected  the  church  badly.  The  influence  of 
the  soldiers  among  us,  w^as  licentious,  and  we  were  under 
the  necessity  of  church  labor  with  some  of  the  young  for 
lewdness;  but  we  attended  to  church  discipline,  and  dis- 
missed some.  On  the  28th,  inst.,  while  preaching,  the 
Lord  preached  by  an  earthquake  ;  the  house  shook,  a  few 
left,  but  sinners  continued  in  sin. 

In  December,  I  journeyed  to  Wolf  borough.  In  Wolf- 
borough  and  vicinity  I  visited  much,  attended  twelve 
meetings ;  then  went  to  Farmington,  had  several  meet- 
ings ;  thence  to  Berwick,  and  preached  several  times. 
Returned  home  on  the  21st,  and  preached  in  Kittery,  York, 
and  Wells,  to  the  close  of  1814. 


LIFE    OF   ELDER   MARK    FERNALD.  69 


CHAPTER  VIII. 

EXTEis^SIVE  ITINERANCY  CONTINUED — SEVERAL  IMPORTANT 
GENERAL  MEETINGS  —  FREQUENT  CONVERSIONS  AND 
BAPTIZINGS — ^HIS  FATHER'S  DEATH,  AND  SERMON  AT 
HIS  BURIAL,  BY  ELIAS  SMITH  —  DISTRESSING  SICKNESS 
AMONG    THE   PEOPLE    OF   KITTERY. 

1815.  From  the  1st,  to  the  15th,  of  January,  I  labored 
daily  in  Kittery,  York,  and  Berwick,  attended  nineteen 
meetings,  which  were  well  attended  by  the  people,  although 
the  weather  was  very  cold.  Nearly  every  meeting  was 
attended  by  serious,  weeping  persons,  and  a  few  found 
peace.  I  then  visited  Brookfield,  Ossipee,  Tufton- 
borough,  and  "VYolfborough ;  and  after  attending  nine 
meetings,  returned  to  Kittery,  partially  frozen. 

February :  In  this  month.  Peace  was  proclaimed  with 
England.  In  fifteen  days  I  attended  as  many  meetings, 
in  Kittery,  York,  and  Berwick.  I  then  visited  Wells, 
Gorham,  Portland,  and  Scarborough,  preaching  eleven 
times.     Many  heard  the  w^ord  with  weeping. 

In  March,  I  spent  two  weeks  at  Gray,  New  Gloucester 
and  North  Yarmouth,  preaching  seventeen  times,  beside 
attending  church  meetings  and  church  conferences.  Vis- 
ited Gorham,  and  Scarborough,  w^here  I  preached  five 
times.     Eeturned  to  Kittery  on  the  21st,  and  to  the  close 


70  LIFE   OF   ELDER  MARK   FERNALD. 

of  March,  held  thh'teen  meetings  more.     In  this  month  the 
thirty-first  year  of  mj  life  closed. 

Some  may  wonder  why  I  travelled  so  much,  and  preached 
once  or  more  every  day,  especially  over  bad  roads,  in 
winter's  storms.  The  reason  was,  in  almost  every  meet- 
ing there  would  be  some  from  other  towns,  requesting  a 
visit  from  me  immediately,  while  where  the  meeting  was, 
^'  Do  come  again  soon,"  were  our  parting  words.  Crowds 
flocked  to  hear,  and  in  almost  every  meeting  some  would 
manifest  deep  distress  of  soul,  and  cry  to  Heaven  for  par- 
don, frequently  obtaining  hope.  I  believe  God's  Holy 
Spirit  assisted  me  to  preach,  and  his  supporting,  protecting 
power,  enabled  me  to  endure  the  storms  and  fatigue. 

April :  During  this  month  I  attended  thirty-six  meet- 
ings, in  Kittery,  York,Eniot,  and  Berwick,  many  of  which 
were  powerful  and  spiritual.  I  baptized  at  Berwick ; 
preached  in  Elliot,  at  the  house  of  J.  Witham,  who  had 
lost  six  children  in  eight  days,  with  spotted  fever ;  only  one 
child  was  left. 

The  13th,  of  April  was  held  as  a  day  of  National  Thanks- 
giving, in  consideration  of  the  restoration  of  Peace,  after 
so  much  property  and  life  had  been  wickedly  destroyed 
for  Pride. 

On  the  15th,  of  April  a  church  meeting  was  held  at  the 
meeting  house  of  the  "  Christian  Church,"  for  the  purpose 
of  giving  Elder  Moses  Safford  a  dismission  from  the  pasto- 
ral care  of  the  church,  agreeably  to  his  request.  Elder 
Safford  had  been  pastor  of  the  church  from  its  organization, 
November  20th,  1806.  At  his  request  he  was  dismissed, 
and  the  same  day  the  church  present,  imcmimously  chose 
me  their  pastor. 


LIFE   OF  ELDER  MARK   FERNALD.  71 

On  the  5th,  of  May,  I  was  bound  south.  Preached  in 
Rye,  New  Hampshire,  twice,  Hampton  thrice  ;  thence  to 
Salem.,  Boston,  and  Mendon,  Massachusetts,  and  Burril- 
ville,  Smithfield,  and  Providence,  Rhode  Island,  attending 
meetings  in  each  place  as  usual.  At  Burrilville  our  meet- 
ings were  powerful.  I  there. met  Elders  John  Colby,  G. 
Lamb,  and  Joseph  White.  Each  preached  freely,  and 
sinners  felt  the  word.  Returning,  I  preached  in  Boston, 
Reading,  Salem,  Chebacco,  Rowley,  Bradford  and  Ports- 
mouth. Arrived  home  on  the  27th,  inst.,  having  travelled 
in  three  weeks,  three  hundred  miles,  and  attended  twenty- 
six  meetings.  Preached  five  times  more,  and  closed  the 
month  in  Farmington,  New  Hampshire. 

In  June,  I  attended  a  few  meetings  in  Wolf  borough  and 
Tuftonborough  ;  also  baptized  two.  Thence  to  Sandwich 
to  attend  the  Free-will  Baptist  yearly  meeting,  which 
was  from  the  10th,  to  the  12th.  It  was  as  usual,  a  serious 
time.  I  preached  on  the  evening  of  the  12th.  The 
meeting  was  powerful  indeed,  and  continued  until  two 
o'clock,  the  next  morning.  On  the  13th,  I  started  north, 
in  company  with  Elder  Joshua  Quimby.  On  that  day  a 
very  powerful  rain  fell,  and  when  v/e  crossed  the  Mad 
river  at  Thornton,  we  forded  the  rapid  or  mad  stream^  with 
much  danger.  The  water  was  about  half  up  our  horses' 
sides,  or  reaching  their  saddles.  The  rain  fell  so  in  tor- 
rents, that  we  could  only  walk  our  horses,  and  were  four 
hours  going  through  Peeling  woods,  a  distance  of  twelve 
miles,  with  only  one  house  in  that  distance.  At  nine 
o'clock  we  found  a  house  and  fire,  at  Franconia,  which  we 
needed,  if  any  poor  souls  ever  did. 


72  LIFE   OF   ELDER   MARK    FERN"ALD. 

Preached  in  New  Concord  and  Landaff,  New  Hamp- 
shire, and  in  Danville,  Vermont,  where  a  general  meeting 
was  held,  on  the  17th,  18th,  and  19th.  E.  Smith,  F. 
Plummer  and  other  preachers  were  present,  laboring,  I 
trust  not  in  vain.  We  also  held  a  conference.  Preached 
nine  times  in  a  week,  in  Wheelock,  Sheffield,  Burke,  Lyn- 
don, and  Sutton,  the  home  of  Elder  John  Colby  and  his 
honored  parents.  It  was  a  serious  visit  to  me.  Returned 
to  Danville,  preached  twice,  Newbury  once,  thence  to 
Rumney,  New  Hampshire,  spoke  once,  then  to  Kempton, 
spoke  twice  on  the  Lord's  day,  July  2d.  Here  I  had  a 
very  serious  impression  while  preaching,  and  to  relieve  my 
mind,  I  stated  to  a  youth,  who  was  too  light,  that  before 
two  weeks,  God  would  meet  him,  I  think  I  said,  by 
death.  Deacon  Worster's  wife  told  the  people,  that  Elder 
Fernald  had  come  as  a  sign,  as  much  as  Jonah,  and  plead 
with  them  to  give  heed  to  my  admonitions.  Months  after 
I  received  a  special  request  to  visit  that  place  again,  with 
information  that  that  young  man  was  killed  at  the  raising 
of  a  building,  one  day  before  the  two  weeks  ended.  How- 
ever I  did  not  go,  as  I  had  no  duty  there  then,  and  some 
might  have  dishonored  Christ,  by  undue  confidence  in  me. 

In  July  I  went  to  Tuftonborough,  New  Hampshire. 
Tarried  in  this  town  and  vicinity  ten  days  and  had  eleven 
meetings  ;  baptized  three  ;  thence  to  Farmington  ;  spoke 
thrice  and  baptized  two.  Returned  home  on  the  15th. 
Labored  the  remainder  of  this  month  in  Kittery,  York, 
and  Berwick.  Had  a  visit  from  Elder  E.  Stinchfield, 
who  had  not  visited  us  for  six  years. 

August:  After  seven  days'  hard  labor  and  one  baptiz- 
ing scene,  I  went  east ;  preached  in  Gorham,  and  then 


LIFE    OF   ELDER   MARK    FERNALD.  73 

went  to  Gray,  to  attend  a  general  meeting  held  by  Christ- 
ian preachers  on  the  12th,  and  13th  of  August.  Elders 
E.  Smith,  F.  Plummer,  and  myself  preached.  Many  peo- 
ple attended  and  appeared  much  benefited.  One  day 
and  evening,  five  sermons  were  preached,  between  8 
o'clock  A.  M.  and  11  P.  M.  and  some  souls  hopefully  con- 
verted. These  were  good  days.  Preachers  were  not 
afraid  of  lungs,  fatigue,  storms,  or  persecution.  We  held 
here  a  conference  of  preachers. 

On  the  16th,  and  17th,  I  met  with  the  Free-will  Bap- 
tists in  their  quarterly  meeting  at  Raymond,  Maine.  At- 
tended six  meetings,  the  last  continuing  until  midnight. 
One  found  peace,  a  daughter  of  Elder  Z.  Leach.  On  the 
18th,  attended  the  meeting  in  the  morning  at  Standish  ; 
Elder  J.  Buzzell  preached.  Then  went  to  Gorham ;  E. 
Smith  and  myself  preached.  19th,  preached  and  baptized 
in  Scarborough,  and  after  2  o'clock  P.  M.  rode  thirty-six 
miles.  Attended  eighteen  preaching  meetings  and  one 
conference,  and  rode  ninety  miles  in  seven  days.  Reached 
home  on  the  21st,  and  preached  in  the  evening.  22d, 
went  to  York,  where  God  had  blessed  his  word  to  the  sal- 
vation of  sinners.  Baptized  two.  Seven  came  forward 
for  prayers,  kneeled,  and  cried  to  Heaven  for  mercy,  while 
many  trembled  upon  their  seats.  After  attending  several 
good  meetings  in  York  and  Kittery,  set  my  face  for  Ver- 
mont again.  On  the  28th,  preached  in  "VYolfborough  and 
Moultonborough.  Crossed  the  Connecticut  river  to  Brad- 
ford, Vermont.  Here  the  Christian  ministers  held  a  con- 
ference and  general  meeting  on  the  1st,  2d,  and  3d  of 
September.  Our  conference  lasted  until  midnight  one  eve- 
ning.    Many  subjects  were  discussed  and  examined  by 


74  LIFE   OF   ELDER   MARK    FERNALD. 

the  Scriptures.  Elders  J.  Boodj,  Joseph  Badger  and 
M.  Fernald  did  the  preaching.  A  host  of  hearers  attended, 
and  many  wept.  One  evening  I  preached  at  a  village 
•where  'Satan's  seat  (is) — was.'' 

Keturning,  I  preached  in  Rumney,  Tuftonborough,  Wolf- 
borough,  Brookfield  and  Wakefield,  and  reached  Lebanon, 
Me.,  on  the  9th.  A  general  meeting  of  two  days  was  held 
here, by  several  preachers,  and  much  people.-  On  the  sec- 
ond day,  the  meeting  house  being  not  sufficient  to  accommo- 
date the  people,  we  repaired  to  a  pleasant  grove,  where  a 
high  rock  served  for  a  pulpit,  for  several  preachers.  I 
preached  from  the  word  one.  In  order  to  call  attention 
I  commenced  by  saying,  the  young  woman  in  reeling  her 
skein  of  yarn,  commenced  with  my  text.  The  miser  in 
counting  his  money  commenced  with  one.  I  spoke 
upon  one  God,  one  Mediator,  one  Baptism,  one  Faith, 
one  Hope,  and  one  Heaven.  I  believe  it  was  a  very  prof- 
itable time  to  many. 

Preached  in  Farmington,  where  many  happy  souls 
rejoiced,  and  several  cried  to  Heaven  for  salvation. 
Preached  in  Rochester,  and  then  returned  to  Kittery. 

September  15th,  attended  the  burial  of  an  aged  aunt, 
and  in  the  evening  preached  at  York.  Many  appeared 
much  distressed  about  their  future  welfare. 

Such  was  the  anxiety  of  the  people  to  hear  the  "Chris- 
tian" preachers,  that  I  preached  once  or  twice,  nearly 
every  day,  and  seldom  remained  more  than  one  or  two 
days  in  a  place ;  hence,  on  the  18th,  preached  twice  in 
Kittery  ;  19th,  twice  in  Berwick  ;  20th,  twice  in  York  ; 
21st,  twice  in  Kittery.  On  the  23d,  there  w^as  a  violent 
and  destructive  gale  of  wind.     On  the  24th,  preached  in 


LIFE   OF  ELDER  MARK    FERNALD.  75 

Portsmouth,  N.  H, ;  25th,  in  Rye  ;  26th,  Hampton  ;  27th, 
in  Salem,  Massachusetts  ;  28th,  in  Boston  ;  29th,  Stough- 
ton ;  30th,  in  Freetown  (Assonet.)  In  several  of  these 
meetings,  the  Spirit  of  God  arrested  the  people. 

A  general  meeting  of  Christian  preachers  and  a  host 
of  people,  met  in  Assonet  at  the  meeting  house,  on  the 
30th  of  September,  and  continued  to  the  evening  of  Octo- 
ber 2d.  E.  Smith,  A.  Jones,  M.  Howe,  F.  Plummer,  D. 
Farnum  and  several  other  preachers  attended  and  labored 
in  harmony.  Also  attended  an  ordination.  Good  was 
done.  October  3d,  preached  in  Swansey.  Here  I  wit- 
nessed the  great  destruction  of  property,  caused  by  the 
September  gale  and  overflowing  force  of  the  ocean.  Here 
vessels  were  lying  dry  in  the  corn  and  mowing  fields. 
Truly,  what  cannot  the  Lord  do,  in  mercy  or  in  judg- 
ment. 

Visited  and  preached  in  Wellington,  where  the  Lord 
had  saved  weeping  sinners.  Seventeen  had  professed 
conversion  in  nine  days.  Thence  to  Stoughton  and 
preached  twice.  I  then  started  for  home,  preaching  in 
Boston,  Reading,  Salem,  New  Rowley,  Bradford,  Haver- 
hill and  Newton,  and  when  I  reached  Kittery,  was  sick 
and  fatigued,  having  preached  more  times  than  days.  The 
remainder  of  October,  I  labored  what  I  could,  continuing 
much  out  of  health  by  severe  influenza.  However  I 
preached  in  York,  South  Berwick,  Farmington,  Brookfield, 
Wolf  borough  and  Tuftonborough,  preaching  twice  in  each 
town.     I  also  baptized  in  Wolf  borough. 

In  November  I  went  to  Gorham,  Maine,  and  attended 
the  Free-will  Baptist  yearly  meeting  and  conference. 
The  reports  were  refreshing.     Elder  J.  Buzzell  preached 


76  LIFE   OF  ELDEE  MARK   FERNALD. 

twice,  well.  I  preached  two  evenings.  On  the  first 
evening  our  meeting  continued  until  12  o'clock,  while  sin- 
ners were  crying  for  mercy.  On  the  second  evening  we 
continued  until  3  o'clock  the  next  morning.  Three  found 
peace  and  rejoiced.  A  sick  youth  at  New  Gloucester 
sent  for  me ;  I  went  immediately.  I  found  a  distressed- 
family.  I  had  oftened  warned  this  dying  youth.  She 
clasped  my  hand  ;  made  solemn  and  humble  confession, 
but  feared  no  mercy  was  for  her  then.  At  the  same  time 
her  sister  was  on  the  floor,  crying  for  salvation,  confessing 
•'you  have  often  warned  me  when  I  could  hardly  sit  upon 
my  seat."     I  instructed,  and  prayed  with  and  for  them. 

From  the  8th,  to  the  16th,  I  had  fourteen  meetings  in 
Grray,  New  Gloucester  and  Raymond.  It  was  a  time  of 
sickness,  and  there  was  great  awakening  in  several  towns. 
I  was  frequently  sent  for  to  visit  sick  and  dying  youths, 
who  lamented  their  folly,  in  Avithstanding  the  reproofs  and 
calls  they  had  had,  and  w^ho  were  near  or  quite  in  despair 
in  a  dying  hour..  This  gave  me  new  energy  to  put  forth 
every  effort,  and  preach  day  and  night,  from  town  to  town, 
that  all  might  be  warned.  I  often  felt  my  extreme  insuf- 
ficiency for  my  work,  and  oftener  cried  to  Heaven  for 
divine  aid.  I  seldom  could  know  what  text  I  should 
preach  from,  when  I  went  to  meeting,  but  being  a  strong 
believer  in  the  immediate  and  direct  aid  of  the  Spirit  of 
Christ,  I  looked  there  for  help,  and  I  trust  not  in  vain. 
Hundreds  of  sinners  who  were  made  to  weep,  w^ould  have 
retained  dry  eyes^  if  the  word  had  only  been  read  or  ex- 
pounded without  the  aid  of  the  Spirit  of  God. 

Preached  ten  times  in  Gorham,  once  in  Portland,  and 
once  in  Scarborough.     In  several  of  these  meetings,  the 


LIFE    OF   ELDER   MARK   FERNALD.  7T 

word  had  a  powerful  eifect,  and  sinners  cried  for  pardon. 
One  youth,  who  frequently  would  say,  mockingly,  "Glory 
to  God,"  was  brought  to  the  floor  crying  for  forgiveness. 
Preached  in  Waterborough,  and  then  went  to  Farmington, 
New  Hampshire,  where  I  arrived  at  10  o'clock  in  the 
evening,  on  the  28th  inst.  Here  a  general  meeting  of  the 
"Christians  "  had  been  appointed  to  be  holden  on  the  29th, 
and  30th.  It  being  rainy,  our  gathering  was  not  as  usual. 
E.  Smith  preached  twice.     Baptized  A.  Downing. 

December  2d.  I  returned  home ;  found  my  aged 
father  near  death.  Fifteeen  had  died  in  the  place,  during 
my  absence  of  five  weeks.  Now  I  could  account  for  my 
constant  distress,  and  impression  to  warn  and  interest  my 
neighbors  before  I  left.  It  was  a  gloomy  time.  My 
brother  Peletiah,  at  whose  house  I  had  my  home,  was  sick, 
his  wife  also,  and  my  father  in  another  apartment  of  the 
same  house.  On  the  night  of  the  5th  inst.,  I  stood  by  the 
bed  of  my  father,  expecting  him  to  expire  before  morning, 
while  he  was  calling  and  begging  for  mercy  of  the  Lord. 
He  lived  until  7  o'clock  the  next  evening.  He  had  been  an 
industrious  man,  but  never  had  given  attention  to  the  con- 
cerns of  his  soul.  In  early  life  he  had  been  a  soldier  on 
the  land,  and  a  war-man  on  the  sea,  which  left  little  relish 
for  true  Christianity.  Yet  I  could  but  hope  that  his  ear- 
nest petitions  in  his  last  hours  were  answered.  A 
neighbor  who  was  well  the  day  previous,  died  at  the  same 
hour  my  father  did.  On  the  7th  inst.,  I  visited  a  woman 
who  was  sitting  in  her  chair  crying  for  mercy.  In  one  hour 
more  she  was  dead.  Another  died  in  the  evening.  Elder 
E.  Smith  preached  at  the  burial  of  my  parent  on  the  8th. 


78  LIFE   OF  ELDER  MARK   FERNALD. 

I  felt  that  I  was  greatly  supported,  under  my  care,  labor, 
and  trouble. 

On  the  9th,  attended  a  burial,  the  fourth,  in  eight 
months,  in  the  same  house.  A  mother,  a  son  aged  22 
years,  a  daughter  aged  10  years,  and  a  child. 

After  visiting  the  sick,  and  preaching  six  times,  I  set 
out  on  a  journey  East.  Preached  in  York,  then  in  Wells, 
and  held  fourteen  meetings  in  Gorham  in  eleven  days,  in 
which  place  I  visited  from  house  to  house,  admonishing 
and  praying  with  the  people.  The  people  were  much 
awakened  in  some  parts  of  the  town,  and  in  several  meet- 
ings many  would  be  on  their  knees,  crying  aloud  for  par- 
don, while  others  were  rejoicing,  until  12  o'clock  at  night. 
My  labor  was  hard,  but  satisfaction  was  my  reward.  I 
labored  as  faithfully,  and  aided  the  churches  as  fully,  in 
this  region,  as  if  they  had  been  of  the  connexion  to  which 
I  belonged.  I  visited  Windham,  Gray,  and  New  Glou- 
cester, called  at  the  latter  place,  and  in  conversation  with 
the  man,  inquired  if  he  had  experienced  rehgion.  He 
immediately  requested  me  to  leave,  as  he  wanted  no  such 
talk  or  people  in  his  house.  I  obeyed,  and  went  on  again 
in  a  heavy  snow  storm,  feeling  better  than  he  did  in  a  warm 
house.  And  thus  ended  the  year  of  our  Lord  one  thou- 
sand eight  hundred  and  fifteen. 


LIFE   OF  ELDER  MARK    FERNALD.  79 


CHAPTER  IX. 

BECOMES  ACQUAINTED  WITH  JOSEPH  BADGER  AND  JOHN 
L.  PEAVEY — A  REVIVAL  IN  THE  VICINITY  OF  GORHAM, 
MAINE — ORDINATION  OP  ELDER  JOHN  L.  PEAVEY — 
VISITS  SALEM,  MASSACHUSETTS,  AND  ASSISTS  IN  THE 
ORDINATION  OF  MOSES  HOWE — A  TOUR  TO  RHODE  ISLAND 
AND  CONNECTICUT — ORDINATION  OF  JOSHUA  PERKINS 
AND  NATHAN  BURLINGAME — GENERAL  CONFERENCE  AT 
WINDHAM,  CONNECTICUT — MEETING  AT  DEERFIELD,  AND 
GENERAL  CONFERENCE  AT  CANDIA,  NEW  HAMPSHIRE — 
DEATH   OF   HIS   MOTHER. 

January,  1816,  I  commenced  in  New  Gloucester.  I 
labored  until  the  24tli,  in  New  Gloucester,  Gray,  Wind- 
ham and  Gorham.  In  Gorham  I  had  twenty  meetings 
in  the  time.  The  Lord  was  evidently  at  work  among  the 
people.  Although  the  weather  was  extremely  cold,  it  did 
not  prevent  great  attendance  at  meeting,  even  from  miles 
distant.  On  the  24th,  I  preached  at  the  Corner,  to  about 
four  hundred  attentive  hearers.  In  Gorham  many  were 
seeking  Jesus,  while  some  were  brought  to  rejoice  in  hope, 
yet  duty  called  me  to  warn  others.  I  visited  Portland, 
then  went  to  Kennebunk,  and  thence  to  Kittery.  Till  the 
close  of  the  month  I  was  in  Kittery  and  York. 

In  February,  Elder  E.  Stinchfield  being  in  Kittery  on  a 


80  LIFE   OF   ELDER  MARK    FERNALD. 

religious  visit,  I  set  out  on  a  tour.  Preached  in  York  and 
Berwick,  Maine ;  Farmington,  Brookfield,  Ossipee,  Wolf- 
borough,  Tuftonborough  and  Tarn  worth,  New  Hampshire, 
and  in  Limington  and  Gorham,  Maine,  holding  seventeen 
meetings  before  reaching  Gorham,  which  was  on  the  17th 
inst.  While  in  Farmington  I  had  an  interview  with  two 
promising  young  preachers,  Joseph  Badger  and  John  L. 
Peavey.  In  Tuftonborough  fourteen  had  died  in  20  days-. 
A  trying  time  for  neglecting  sinners,  to  be  called  suddenly 
away,  without  hope.  I  could  but  labor  more  ardently  to 
fulfil  my  stewardship. 

The  remainder  of  February,  I  spent  in  Gorham,  holding 
twelve  meetings,  besides  much  visiting.  Elders  J.  Colby, 
S.  White  and  H.  Hobbs,  visited  Gorham  while  I  was  there; 
all  good  men. 

In  March  I  went  to  Gray,  New  Gloucester,  and  Poland, 
and  held  ten,  I  think,  profitable  meetings.  At  this  time 
I  sufiered  very  much  in  my  nose  and  head  from  polypus 
of  a  cancerous  kind,  produced  by  excessive  labor,  fatigue, 
and  frequent  colds.  Preached  in  Gorham  thirteen  times  ; 
in  Portland  once  ;  in  Scarborough  once  ;  and  at  West- 
brook  once,  in  a  hall  that  was  fitted  up  for  dancing. 
Whatever  becomes  of  the  people  in  that  section  of  coun- 
try, to  whom  I  preached,  I  must  say  that  I  had  great 
freedom  in  preaching  the  word  to  thousands,  scarcely  hav- 
ing one  meeting  in  which  some  one  did  not  rejoice  in  Christ; 
while  many  were  made  to  weep  and  bow  the  knee,  and  cry 
for  pardon.  Hopeful  conversions  were  frequent  in  those 
days.  Often  my  bodily  distress,  rendered  me  unfit  to  at- 
tend a  meeting,  yet  I  suffered  not  my  feebleness,  or  blocked 
roads,  or  storms  of  any  kind  to    prevent  my  fulfilling  all 


LIFE   OF   ELDER   MARK    FERNALD.  81 

appointments,  Tv^hen  the  people  could  attend.  I  was  often 
severely  chilled  and  frequently  froze  my  face. 

March  20th,  I  went  to  Wolf  borough,  New  Hampshire, 
where  I  held  seven  meetings  ;  visited  the  people,  exhorting 
and  praying  with  them.  I  then  went  to  Farmington,  New 
Hampshire,  where  a  conference  and  general  meeting  was 
held,  on  the  27th  and  28th.  The  conference  was  held  at 
brother  Anthony  Peavey's.  His  son,  John  L.,  related 
the  exercises  of  his  mind  about  public  preaching.  It  was 
evident  that  he  was  called  of  God  to  preach  the  Gospel, 
and  ought  to  be  set  apart  to  that  work,  by  ordination.  A 
needless  but  severe  trial  arose,  through  Elder  J.  B.  and 
some  of  his  particular  friends.  They  objected  to  his  being 
ordained  at  that  time,  mainly  because  Elder  J.  B.  was  not 
considered  chief  counselor.  J.  B.  had  done  great  good  in 
the  place,  had  been  treated  as  a  father,  but  from  this  time 
an  opposition  arose  and  a  scattering  of  the  church  took 
place,  the  effect  of  which  was  bad.  Many  were  wounded, 
and  the  wicked  triumphed. 

On  the  28th  of  March,  1816,  four  or  five  hundred  peo- 
ple attended.  I  preached  in  the  forenoon,  and  Elder  E. 
Smith  in  the  afternoon,  after  which,  John  L.  Peavey  was 
ordained  to  the  duties  of  the  Gospel  ministry.  I  then 
returned  to  Kittery,  and  attended  four  meetings  more, 
which  closed  March.  As  poor  as  my  health  was,  and  as 
bad  as  the  March  travelhng  was,  I  attended  forty  meetings, 
and  traveled  two  hundred  and  fifty  miles. 

In  April  I  spent  sixteen  days  in  Kittery,  York,  Ports- 
mouth, and  Berwick,  holding  twenty  meetings.  Death 
had  cut  off  forty  in  our  small  town,  since  October,  (five 
months,)  yet  but  httle  reforming.     We  held  a  few  church 


82  LIFE   OV  ELDER  MARK    EERKALB. 

meetings,  and  were  compelled  to  disfellowship  four  females 
for  unchaste  conduct.  I  then  visited  Portland,  Gray  and 
New  Gloucester.  Preached  several  times  in  these  towns. 
One  meeting  held  seven  hours.  Saints  rejoiced  and  sin- 
ners wept.  Baptized  two  excellent  youths.  I  then  went 
to  Westbrook,  had  great  freedom  in  preaching  ;  then  in 
company  with  my  good  brother  Elder  Samuel  Rand, 
returned  to  Portland,  where  the  Lord  had  wrought  won- 
ders in  converting  sinners.  I  spoke  to  a  house  filled  with 
serious  hearers.  The  Lord  was  with  us  in  truth.  Return- 
ed to  Gray,  and  spoke  to  a  host  of  hearers  ;  heard  the 
religious  experience  of  three,  and  then  went  to  the  river 
and  baptized  them.  It  was  an  unusually  solemn  time. 
On  the  28th,  held  two  meetings  in  Gorham,  which  were 
powerful ;  after  which  went  to  the  river  and  baptized  three 
happy  saints,  who  had  related  their  experience  at  a  previ- 
ous meeting,  held  for  that  purpose.  I  then  rode  to  Scar- 
borough, and  had  a  meeting  in  the  evening.  On  the  29th 
returned  home,  and  on  the  30th  preached  at  the  burial  of 
our  first  pastor.  Elder  Moses  Safibrd.  Then  went  to 
Portsmouth  and  spoke  in  the  evening. 

May  1st,  journeyed  in  a  carriage  to  Salem,Massachusetts, 
according  to  an  agreement.  May  2d, was  appointed  to  ordain 
brother  Moses  Howe.  Dr.  Bowles  and  church,  having 
given  the  use  of  their  large  brick  meeting  house  for  the 
purpose,  it  was  filled  with  hearers.  In  the  forenoon  I 
preached  from  2  Corinthians,  iv:  7;  and  in  the  after- 
noon, E.  Smith  preached  from  2  Corinthians,  iii :  6.  E. 
Smith,  B.  Taylor,  J.  Harriman  and  myself  set  brother 
Howe  apart  to  the  work  of  the  ministry,  by  ''laying  on  of 
hands,"  &c.     He  has  proved  a  good,  faithful  and  useful 


^  LIFE    OF   ELDER   MARK   FERNALD.  83 

man  of  God.  At  evening,  brother  J.  Harriman  preached. 
It  was  a  good  day.  The  Christian  cause  was  flourishing 
at  that  time  in  Salem.  The  next  day  after  a  weeping 
farewell,  I  rode  to  Hampton,  New  Hampshire,  and  the  day- 
following  reached  home. 

After  a  few  good,  reviving  meetings  in  Kittery  and 
Portsmouth,  I  left  my  lonely  aged  mother  and  journeyed 
in  New  Hampshire.  Went  to  Farmington  and  from  thence 
to  Wolfborongh.  Here  I  had  a  new  trial.  Some,  who  in 
the  time  of  the  revival,  when  they  obtained  salvation, 
extolled  my  preaching,  had  now  become  so  Calvinistic  that 
they  said,  "the  Bible  forbids  us  to  hear  such  preaching." 
None  accused  me  of  any  change  of  manner  or  doctrine,  but 
satan  wanted  a  division,  and  called  up  Calvinism  (so 
called)  to  effect  it.  They  were  men  educated  from  child- 
hood in  that  opinion,  in  Lebanon,  Maine,  and  when  they 
abated  in  their  "first  love"  they  filled  up  the  vacuum, 
with  childhood's  opinions.  0,  the  hardness,  disunion  and 
curse  of  leaving  our  "first  love"  in  Christ. 

I  visited  Brookfield,  Ossipee,  Tuftonborough,  and  Ber- 
wick, preaching  to  the  people,  and  returned  to  the  seashore, 
on  the  18th  inst.  After  attending  eleven  meetings,  I 
journeyed  South.  Preached  in  Hampton,  Hampton  Falls, 
and  Newton,  N.  H.,  Haverhill,  and  Bradford,  Mass.,  and 
May  closed.  In  June,  I  commenced  in  New  Rowley  ;  from 
thence  toSalem,  and  Boston,  and  then  to  Providence,  B. 
I.,  and  Coventry,  and  Sterling,  Conn.  An  appointment 
was  given  out  for  preaching  and  ordination,  on  June  9th. 
The  Baptists  had  given  liberty  for  the  use  of  their  house, 
for  the  occasion,  but  when  the  hour  arrived,  Elder  W.  and 
his  friends  refused  the  key.     Hence  upon  a  hill,  with  a 


84  LIFE   OF  ELDER  MARK   FERNALD* 

bleak  North  West  wind,  and  a  jackass  tied  near,  braying 
aloud.  Elder  W.  compelled  us  to  preach  in  a  cart,  and 
ordain  Joshua  Perkins  and  Nathan  Burlingame.  Several 
.preachers  attended,  among  which  were,  Ward  Lock,  James 
Tuttle,  and  M.  Fernald,  from  Maine  ;  N.  Piper,  and  J. 
Badger,  from  New  Hampshire ;  Levi  Hathaway,  and  A. 
Foster,  from  Massachusetts  ;  and  D.  Farnum,  from  Rhode 
Island.  The  meeting  was  large.  The  Word  had  a  pow- 
erful effect.  But  prejudice,  thou  green^  blind-eyed  mon- 
ster, how  much  misery  thou  dost  cause  ! 

While  I  was  preaching,  and  receiving  good  attention, 
the  jack,  being  confined  there  to  confuse  us,  yelled  and 
groaned.  I  exclaimed  "  that  jack  obeys  his  master,  who 
obeys  his  master,  the  Devil ;  I  will  therefore  obey  my 
master,  Christ;"  and  raising  my  voice,  I  think  the  people 
heard  me,  while  I  did  the  best  I  could  for  truth.  Others 
did  the  same.  Several  preachers  had  very  httle  time  to 
improve,  being  confined  to  one  day. 

On  the  10th,  a  company  of  preachers  went  to  Canter- 
bury, Conn.,  where  Elder  Farnum  had  an  appointment  to 
baptize,  which  was  the  first  case  in  the  place.  The  meeting 
was  at  Robert  Kezar's.  I  preached  from  1  Peter,-  iii :  15, 
and  had  much  freedom.  Elder  Farnum  spoke  upon  water 
baptism,  its  mode,  &c.  The  town  clergyman  then  arose, 
and  brought  his  vindication  of  sprinkling,  by  stating  that 
the  wilderness  of  Judea  was  very  dry,  and  that  "  much 
water"  meant  many  small  streams.  I  pitied  the  man 
much.  Farnum  became  almost  outrageous  with  his  Bible 
evidence.  After  some  disturbance,  we  repaired  to  the 
water,  and  Sally  Kezar  was  baptized.  The  preachers  then 
went  to  Windham,  Conn.     Several  months  before,  a  gen- 


LIFE    OF   ELDER   MARK    FERNALD.  85 

eral  conference,  or  convention,  was  appointed  to  be  holden 
at  that  place,  to  commence  June  11th.  Elders  Philip 
Hathaway,  Elias  Smith,  Benjamin  Taylor,  Levi  Hathaway, 
and  Asa  Foster,  of  Massachusetts ;  Noah  Piper,  and  J. 
Badger,  of  New  Hampshire ;  John  Capron,  and  Abel  Burk, 
of  Vermont ;  D.  Farnum,  and  Z.  Crosman,  of  Rhode  Island, 
Jabez  King,  of  New  York ;  F.  Plummer,  and  R.  Furgerson, 
of  Philadelphia,  Penn. ;  Elias  Sharp,  N.  Burlingame,  and 
Joshua  Perkins,  of  Connecticut;  and  James  Tuttle,  Ward 
Lock,  and  M.  Fernald,  of  Maine,  besides  other  young 
speakers,  attended. 

This  conference  was  to  aid  each  other  in  understandino: 
the  Bible,  our  Rule.  It  was  not  an  Ecclesiastical  court, 
but  a  Christian  school,  to  get  all  the  light  and  truth  each 
other  possessed.     Various  subjects  were  discussed. 

First,  shall  we  have  a  moderator  ?  The  New  Testa- 
ment was  silent  on  this,  yet  we  considered  it  our  duty  to 
conduct  orderly. 

Second,  shall  we  have  a  clerk  or  scribe  ?  We  found  no 
direct  proof  in  the  New  Testament,  but  agreed  it  was  best 
to  keep  records. 

Third,  enquired  for  an  example  for  holding  a  confer- 
ence. Believed  that  Acts  xv :  6,  and  other  Scriptures 
justified  the  practice. 

At  evening,  Elder  B.  Taylor  preached  excellently.    On 

the  12th,  the  conference  met  at  8,  A.  M.     After  prayer, 

the  question,  Is  the  right  hand  of  fellowship  any  part  o  f 

ordination  ?   was  examined.     All  agreed  that  it  had  no 

connection  with  ordination,  but  applied   (Gal.  ii :  9)   to 

Elders  that  are  ordained  elsewhere,  when  they  come  to 

such  Elders  as  are  considered  pillars ;  such  may  thereby 
8 


86  LIFE   OP   ELDER  MARK   FERNALD. 

approbate  them.  To  the  question,  What  is  the  ground  of 
fellowship  among  Grod's  children  ?  the  reply  was.  The  new 
birth,  regeneration  or  Christ  in  us,  the  hope  or  evidence 
of  glory. 

In  the  evening,  E.  Smith  preached.  There  was  good 
attention. 

June  13th,  the  conference  met  again,  at  8  o'clock,  A. 
M.  The  question  was  put.  What  shall  destroy  fellowship  ? 
The  answer  was,  that  diflference  of  opinion  was  nothing,  if 
the  conduct  was  becoming  the  Gospel.  Open  sin  or  wick- 
edness, should  destroy  fellowship  ;  also,  heresy,  which  was 
considered  to  be  denying  the  Father  and  Son.  To  this,  I 
[M.  F.]  could  not  fully  agree. 

To  the  question,  Are  the  Scriptures  a  sufficient  rule  or 
guide  in  directing  Christians  in  church  business  ?  it  was 
answered,  the  Bible  is  a  perfect  rule  for  faith  and  practice. 
2  Tim.  iii :  16,  IT.  Considered  it  scriptural  to  give  letters 
of  commendation  to  members. 

A  question  arose  on  the  washing  of  feet.  John  xiii : 
5 — 17.  We  could  not  find  proof  that  it  was  practised  in 
the  apostolic  churches,  or  commanded  by  the  apostles  to 
be  done.  In  the  afternoon  and  evening,  Abner  Jones 
and  Ward  Lock  preached  in  the  Presbyterian  meeting 
house.  There  were  many  tender  minds.  I  went  to  Leb- 
anon, and  preached  at  evening.  On  the  14th,  all  met  in 
conference  again.  The  officers  in  the  church  were  found 
to  be  evangelists,  or  travelling  preachers ;  pastors  stated 
in  or  over  a  church  ;  teachers,  whether  pastors  or  other 
preachers ;  elders,  who  have  an  oversight  of  the  flock ; 
(Acts  XX  :  28  ;)  deacons,  who  have  the  care  of  the  tem- 
poral and  financial  matters  in  the  church,  such  as  receiving 


LIFE    OP   ELDER   MARK   FERNALD.  87 

aid  from  the  rich  in  the  church  to  assist  the  poor  of  the 
church,  &c.,  for  we  read,  "wo  to  the  rich  who  shut  up 
their  bowels  of  compassion  to  the  poor." 

Scriptural  ordination  of  an  Elder  was  fasting,  prayer, 
and  the  laying  on  of  hands ;  and  for  the  ordination  of  a 
deacon,  prayer,  and  the  laying  on  of  hands,  without  fasting. 

E.  Smith  laid  the  case  of  J.  K.  before  the  conference, 
enquiring  what  should  be  done  with  him  for  his  unchristian 
behavior.  Decided  that  Elias  Smith,  Benjamin  Taylor, 
and  Mark  Fernald,  who  had  given  him  letters  of  commen- 
dation, should  recall  them.  From  this  circumstance,  as 
well  as  other  circumstances,  it  appeared  to  be  the  duty  of 
the  people  called  "  Christians,"  to  form  state  or  county 
conferences.  Other  subjects  were  freely  discussed,  and 
on  the  15th,  a  harmonious  session  of  conference  closed. 
We  paid  one  dollar  per  day  each,  for  our  board  and  horse- 
keeping,  but  were  kindly  treated. 

The  holding  of  this  session  of  conference,  together  with 
the  preaching  in  connection,  gave  hundreds  an  opportunity 
to  hear  the  despised,  slandered  Christians,  and  opened  a 
door  for  great  revivals  in  the  state.  On  the  15th,  there 
were  three  discourses  at  the  meeting  house  ;  many  wept. 
It  was  a  blessed  time.  On  the  16th,  we  held  our  closing 
meeting  in  a  grove.  About  two  thousand  people  attended. 
Many  remember  these  labors  of  love,  of  men  who  travelled 
far  at  their  own  expense.  This  was  the  first  conference 
or  convention  of  so  general  a  character. 

Visited  Canterbury,  KiUingly,  Chepacket,  and  proceeded 
to  Burrilville,  R.  I.  On  the  20th,  by  request,  went  with 
esquire  Wood  to  Smithfield,  Slater's  Factory,  and  attended 
a  masonic  burial.     While  walking  in  the  procession,  I  felt 


88  LIFE   OF   ELDER   MARK  FERNALD. 

reproved  for  needless  ceremonies.  At  evening,  I  had  a 
powerful  time  in  preaching.  I  believe  the  Lord  blessed 
his  truth.  Returned  to  Burrilville,  and  preached  six  times. 
All  the  meetings  were  deeply  interesting.  The  church 
•was  Free-will  Baptist,  the  fruit  of  Elder  John  Colby's 
arduous  labors,  but  I  cared  not  who  I  could  help  heaven- 
ward. Preached  again  in  Smithfield,  then  in  Cumberland^ 
and  proceeded  to  Salem,  Mass.,  w^here  I  held  five  meetings, 
broke  bread,  and  June  closed. 

In  July,  I  preached  in  Bradford,  Haverhill,  Massachu- 
setts, and  Portsmouth,  New  Hampshire.  These  were  ex- 
cellent reviving  meetings.  Arrived  home  and  preached 
on  the  5th.  During  July  I  attended  thirty-eight  meetings 
in  Kittery,  York,  Berwick  and  Portsmouth,  and  baptized 
three  times.  God  blessed  my  feeble  efforts.  Almost  every 
meeting  was  attended  with  much  weeping  and  bowing  to 
Christ,  while  many  rejoiced  in  the  hope  of  eternal  life. 
These  were  good  days.  Meetings  were  not  limited  to  any 
stated  time,  but  governed  by  duty. 

August.  For  thirteen  days  in  this  month,  I  labored 
constantly  in  Kittery,  York,  Berwick  and  Portsmouth,  vis- 
iting and  preaching.  During  this  time  I  had  twenty-one 
meetings,  some  of  which  were  very  lengthy,  as  those  in  dis- 
tress of  mind  would  not  leave  the  place.  While  preaching 
one  discourse,  about  twenty  left  their  seats,  and  fell  upon 
the  floor  crying  to  Heaven  for  pardon.  Some  persons  came 
many  miles  on  foot  to  hear,  and  feel.  Conversions  gave 
me  new  courage.  God  and  His  Son  be  praised.  I  then 
journeyed  to  Wolfborough  and  vicinity,  where  I  held 
nine  meetings,  but  was  enfeebled  by  much  labor  and 
anxiety.      I  was  not  without  severe  conflicts,  but  lived 


LIFE    OF   ELDER  MARK    FERNALD.  89 

much  in  prayer.  Having  no  wife  or  family,  I  had  but  lit- 
tle care,  save  for  the  church  of  Christ,  and  poor  sinners. 
For  these  I  labored  day  and  night ;  ever  pleading  with 
God  for  His  Spirit  to  direct  me  in  all  duties,  and  help  me 
to  serve  Him. 

My  absence  from  •  the  churches,  sometimes  for  a  long 
season,  gave  my  enemies  an  opportunity  to  sow  discord. 
Some  would  turn  from  truth  to  error,  and  sometimes  those 
who  had  appeared  to  be  my  warmest  friends,  would  leave 
Christ  and  become  my  enemies.     Heaven  pity  such. 

Went  to  Gilmanton  ;  visited  the  place  where  Elder  J. 
Shepherd  was  scalded  to  doath  by  the  bursting  of  a  rum 
distillery.  A  poor  business  for  a  gospel  preacher.  Thence 
to  Deerfield  and  attended  a  meeting  which  commenced  on 
the  24th.  Twelve  preachers  and  much  people  attended. 
I  preached  in  the  forenoon,  and  Elder  James  Tuttle  in  the 
afternoon.  On  the  25th  a  host  of  people  met ;  some 
came  25  miles,  to  whom  Elders  S.  Rand,  F.  Plummer,  and 
E.  Smith  preached  well.  In  the  evening  I  spoke  at  John 
Hilton's. 

On  the  26th,  nineteen  ministers  and  a  crowd  of  hearers 
met  at  Candia,  New  Hampshire,  for  a  general  meeting  and 
conference.  Several  good  discourses  were  solemnly 
dehvered  and  candidly  hstened  to,  while  much  love  and 
power  was  felt  by  many.  The  27th  and  28th  were  devo- 
ted to  conference.  The  conference  was  open  to  all,  saint 
or  sinner.  The  object  was  the  same  as  at  Windham,  Con- 
necticut, in  June,  namely,  to  get  all  the  Scripture  light, 
that  each  could  bring  from  the  Scriptures,  but  no  man's 
commentary.     This  was  a  Christian  school  for  all.     Our 

subjects  were  Christ  and  His  Church,  with  all  offices  and 
8* 


90  LIFE   OF   ELDER  MARK   FERNALD. 

duties  belonging  thereunto  ;  hence,  we  had  no  such  phrases 
to  explain  as  Trinity,  Unitarian,  Calvinism  or  Armin- 
ian  ;  yet  it  was  rather  hard  to  keep  free  from  surround- 
ing tradition.  On  the  29th,  the  conference  met  to  con- 
sider the  case  of  Elder  J.  B.  which  took  until  12  o'clock. 
The  case  named  at  Windham  of  J.  K.,  was  taken  up  in 
the  afternoon,  but  it  was  dismissed,  as  not  of  the  Christian 
connection.  Thus  another  profitable  and  instructive  con- 
ference and  series  of  meetings  closed ;  after  which  I  rode  to 
Portsmouth,  thirty- two  miles,  and  preached  in  the  evening. 

In  September,  I  labored  mostly  in  Kittery,  occasionally 
visiting  York,  Berwick  and  Portsmouth,  attending  in  all 
thirty-nine  meetings.  In  this  month  I  baptized  seven  at 
Rittery.  The  good  work  took  a  new  start  in  K.  On  the 
first  Sabbath,  the  house  was  crowded,  and  while  I  was 
preaching,  the  cry  of  the  people  for  mercy  was  such,  that  I 
was  obhged  to  stop.  The  meeting  continued  until  two 
o'clock  the  next  morning.     Some  found  comfort  in  Christ. 

Frequently  our  meetings  continued  until  midnight,  and 
sometimes  until  2  o'clock  in  the  morning,  while  the  house 
would  be  so  crowded  that  not  a  spare  seat  could  be  found, 
not  even  on  the  pulpit  stairs.  Many  may  consider  such 
meetings  and  exercises  improper,  but  to  us,  the  thought  of 
the  endless  loss  of  heaven  by  the  Christless  sinner,  would 
not  allow  idleness  or  silence,  especially  while  sinners  came 
miles  to  hear  and  request  our  prayers,  and  there  bow  with 
us  and  cry  to  God.  Hopeful  conversions  gave  new  strength 
to  our  faith.  One  child  exclaimed,  "I  have  found  Christ," 
and  then  recalling  it,  said,  "No,  Christ  has  found  me ; 
Christ  was  never  lost ;  it  was  my  poor  soul."  During 
this  time  I  baptized  a  widow  in  the  same  water  in  which  her 


LIFE    OF   ELDER   MARK    FERNALD.  91 

husband   had  been  drowned.     A  circumstance  occurred. 


as  follows :  one  of  those  I  had  baptized  was  a  young 
woman,  engaged  to  be  married  to  a  young  sailor.  He 
became  so  much  enraged,  that  he  swore  he  would  murder 
me  by  the  loth  of  September,  and  had  procured  pistols 
for  that  purpose.  My  friends  became  uneasy.  Wishing 
to  see  him,  I  went  to  his  boarding  house  and  found  him 
alone.  I  reasoned  with  him,  while  he  swore  bitterly.  I 
told  him  I  wished  to  talk  for  his  good,  but  would  not  stay 
to  hear  swearing.  I  Avarned  him  and  left  without  seeing 
any  pistols. 

Remained  a  few  days  in  October  at  Kittery  and  vicinity, 
and  baptized  twice,  but  satan  was  bent  on  preventing  the 
conversion  of  his  subjects.  We  had  trials  with  our  joy. 
One  severe  trial  which  had  a  powerful  influence  in  retard- 
ing the  good  work,  was  this ;  an  honest,  but  deceived 
woman  led  by  her  imaginations,  would  attend  our  meetings 
in  York  and  Kittery,  supposing  she  was  under  a  divine 
influence.  She  would  scream  at  the  top  of  her  voice  and 
dance  to  her  own  music.  Many  pitied  her,  and  wished  to 
bear  it.  Others  thought  it  wrong  and  would  put  her  out 
of  the  house,  when  she  would  stand  at  the  window  and  con- 
tinue her  screams.  Hence  the  revival  nearly  stopped. 
Another  instance  in  Portsmouth,  was  a  female  appearing 
naked  in  the  meeting-house  in  time  of  service,  supposing 
she  was  doing  God's  will.  She  once  attempted  it  at  New 
Castle  while  I  was  preaching.  I  instantly  broke  out  singing 
"0  how  charming  is  the  radiant  band  ;"  which  made  the 
people  stare  at  me,  so  that  only  a  few  saw  her.  0,  the 
plans  of  satan  to  ruin  sinners. 

On  the  8th,  I  preached  in  Wells.     From  thence  went  to 


92  LIFE   OF   ELDER  MARK    FERNALD. 

Arundel,  Portland,  Gray  and  New  Gloucester.  At  Gray 
I  baptized  three.  Was  sent  for  to  go  twelve  miles  to  bap- 
tize twelve  persons,  but  other  appointments  forbade  it.  On 
the  16th,  attended  a  Free-will  Baptist  quarterly  meeting 
at  Standish.  Spoke  in  Gorham  twice,  once  in  Scarbor- 
ough, and  returned  home.  Attended  thirteen  more,  and 
baptized  three.  In  November  I  held  thirty-seven  meet- 
ings in  Kittery,  York,  Berwick  and  Portsmouth,  many  of 
which  were  weeping,  powerful  seasons.  Several  souls  were 
converted.  Baptized  three  at  Kittery  and  two  at  Ports- 
mouth. 

In  view  of  attending  meeting  in  the  afternoon  and  even- 
ing, I  had  my  appointments  given  out  seasonably,  making 
no  reserve  for  weather  or  travelling.  I  seldom  had  more 
than  two  meetings  at  one  time,  with  the  same  congrega- 
tion. I  did  this,  that  as  many  as  possible  might  have  an 
opportunity  to  hear  the  word,  though  it  exposed  me  much, 
and  fatigued  me  much.  I  occasionally  met  some  opposi- 
tion, and  sometimes  from  such  a  source  as  to  awaken,  if 
not  to  cause,  a  resurrection  of  the  old  man.  In  Ports- 
mouth, I  was  beset  by  a  man  half  drunk,  and  wholly  full 
of  the  Devil^  who  abused  me  shamefully,  threatening  my 
life  upon  the  spot,  having  a  sailor's  knife  for  his  weapon. 
Here  nature  and  grace  had  some  council  about  duty.  I 
could  have  threshed  the  ground  with  him,  but  knowing  the 
strength  of  my  large  frame^  refused  to  touch  him,  though 
he  had  hold  on  me.  I  retired^  and  so  he  could  not  hold 
on,  but  was  obliged  to  let  go  his  hold. 

On  the  21st  of  November,  I  was  some  miles  from  home, 
but  felt  impressed  to  return.  I  did  so,  and  found  that  my 
aged  mother,  then  residing  in  my  brother's  house,  had 


LIFE   OP  ELDER  MARK   FERNALD.  93 

bled  profusely  from  a  cancer  in  the  thigh,  but  was  then 
quite  comfortable.  I  arrived  late  at  evening.  I  sat  down 
in  silence,  and  so  did  my  brother  and  his  wife,  feeling 
deeply  distressed,  but  could  not  tell  the  cause  of  our  dis- 
tress. Duty  seemed  to  require  us  to  pray  with  our  mother. 
We  did  not,  as  she  was  then  composed  and  comfortable. 
They  retired,  and  I  sat  by  her  side  ;  and  as  she  was  at 
rest,  I  commenced  writing.  At  half  past  ten  o'clock,  the 
main  artery  of  her  thigh  burst,  and,  with  a  groan  and  a 
gasp,  in  two  minutes  my  affectionate  mother  was  dead. 
How  frail  is  human  life  !  Her  burial  was  attended  on  the 
23d,  by  Elder  Peter  Young. 

December.  I  tarried  ten  days  in  Kittery,  Portsmouth, 
and  York,  and  attended  fifteen  meetings  ;  then  journeyed 
to  Wolf  borough  and  towns  adjoining,  holding  there  seven- 
teen meetings,  and  attending  the  burial  of  Isaac  Jones,  a 
truly  godly  man.  He  was  the  man  who  first  received  me 
to  his  house  in  Wolf  borough,  when  a  stranger,  and  at 
whose  house  I  had  many  glorious  reformation  meetings. 
His  death  was  occasioned  by  a  sting  on  his  head  by  a 
honey  bee.  Returned  home  on  the  27th ;  visited  and 
preached  daily,  as  usual ;  baptized  once.  On  my  return, 
I  was  informed  of  the  manner  in  which  Christmas,  the 
supposed  birth  day  of  Christ,  was  insulted.  The  manner 
usually  was,  shooting,  gambling,  dancing,  drinking,  &c. 
In  one  discourse  I  took  occasion  to  show  the  wickedness, 
and  insult^^  !to  Christ,  which  brought  the  indignation  of  the 
ungodly  fully  to  light ;  it  being  the  same  evening  that  a 
frolicking  party  were  holding  their  vain  sport  near  by. 
Some  of  Satan's  servants  were  at  the  meeting,  but  left  in 
a  rage,  went  to  the  dance,  and  misrej)resented  my  remarks, 


94  LIFE   OF   ELDER  MARK    FERNALD. 

as  is  always  the  case.  Certain  youths  bound  themselves 
together,  to  beat  or  kill  me,  by  privately  laying  in  wait  for 
me.  My  friends  felt  uneasy  for  me,  but  I  had  no  fear  of 
the  threat.  How  hard  the  wicked  will  labor  to  defend 
sin.  If  Christians  would  be  as  faithful  and  zealous  for 
their  master,  as  satan's  subjects  are  for  theirs,  truth  would 
triumph  gloriously.  We  closed  the  year  by  holding  a 
meeting  until  two  hours  into  the  new  year.  It  was  a  pow- 
erful time,  and  not  without  hopeful  conversions  to  Christ. 


LIFE   OF  ELDER  MARK    FERNALD.  95 


CHAPTER  X. 

N.  H. — A  SEVERELY  COLD 
FRIDAY,  FEBRUARY  14tH,  1817  —  BAPTIZES  WHEN  QUITE 
SICK  —  VISITS   NEW  HAMPSHIRE  —  ATTENDS   A   GENERAL 

MEETING  AT  NEW  DURHAM BECOMES  ACQUAINTED  WITH 

0.    E.     MORRILL A    HAIL    STORM ATTACKED      BY     A 

PREACHER    AT    WOLFBOROUGH  —  SPEAKS     OUT     ON     THE 
SUBJECT  OF  TEMPERANCE. 

1817.  I  remained  in  Kitterj  until  the  13th  of  January, 
holding  meetings  constantly^  either  for  preaching  or  church 
labor.  On  the  13th,  by  special  request,  I  set  out  for 
Farmington,  N.  H.,  to  assist  the  church  there  in  its  labors. 
When  I  arrived  there,  I  found  the  church  assembled,  and 
wishing  to  disband  or  disorganize,  and  for  such  as  were 
united,  to  begin  anew,  or  re- organize.  I  informed  them 
that  I  could  not  aid  them  in  so  doing.  I  had  no  example 
in  the  New  Testament  to  sustain  such  doings,  in  order  to 
avoid  labor  and  church  duties  with  offenders.  But  I  would 
help  them  in  laboring  with  transgressors.  We  would  re- 
claim what  we  could,  dismiss  such  as  wished  to  leave,  who 
were  in  good  standing,  and  cut  off  the  incorrigible.  On 
the  16th,  I  baptized  Mary  Peavey  and  Betsey  Peavey. 
The  baptism  was  attended  with  unusual  seriousness.     The 


96  LIFE   OP   ELDER   MARK   FERNALD. 

river  was  frozen  strong,  but  a  place  was  cut  and  the  ice 
cleared,  twenty  feet  long  and  four  wide. 

I  returned  home,  and  was  presented  with  a  very  accept- 
able gift — a  suit  of  new  clothes.  I  never  hired  out  as  a 
preacher  for  any  term  of  time,  not  even  for  a  single  day, 
but  endeavored  to  do  my  duty,  whether  the  people  did 
theirs  to  me  or  not ;  and  though  I  preached  to  so  many 
thousands,  I  often  had  to  return  home  to  supply  my  purse, 
until  my  hard  earnings,  on  sea  and  land,  were  brought 
very  low.  I  preached  several  times  in  Kittery,  baptized 
two  excellent  youths,  and  on  the  31st,  went  to  Scarborough. 

February  1st,  I  went  to  Gorham.  Met  there  two 
female  speakers — H.  H.  and  A.  W.  They  were  Free- 
will Baptists.  They  seemed  to  give  good  evidence  of  their 
duty  to  speak  publicly.  They  both  married  preachers. 
Some  Friends,  or  Quakers  here,  were  offended  at  my 
preaching  about  a  future  resurrection  and  judgment. 
Visited  Windham,  Gray  and  New  Gloucester.  In  New 
Gloucester  about  forty  had  lately  hoped  in  Christ. 

This  was  an  extremely  cold  month,  and  the  snow  was 
very  deep.  I  suffered  very  much  in  getting  through  to 
my  engagements.  On  the  13th,  preached  in  Hebron,  and 
on  the  14th  went  to  Buckfield.  This  was  a  cold  Friday, 
and  will  long  be  remembered.  Many  froze  themselves 
badly.  A  number  were  frozen  to  death  ;  some  by  means 
of  rum.  The  hght  snow  and  wind  rendered  traveling 
dangerous.  I  lost  my  hat,  and  froze  myself  before  I 
reached  a  house.  The  first  house  I  reached  took  me  in  ; 
their  name  was  Hutchinson.  A  circumstance  occurred 
here  which  I  will  name.  Two  young  men,  in  the  evening, 
were   taken  violently  sick ;    one  with   bilious  colic,   the 


LIFE   OF   ELDER  MARK   FERNALD.  97 

other  with  dysentery.  Having  suitable  medicine  with  me, 
I  administered  to  them.  The  youngest  supposed  I  saved 
Lis  Hfe.  The  next  day  my  friends  found  my  hat.  On 
this  cold  day,  a  poor  widow,  to  prevent  freezing,  left  her 
child,  went  to  obtain  a  rail  from  a  fence  to  make  a  fire, 
but  could  not  succeed  in  clearing  it,  and  froze  to  death, 
standing  by  the  rail.  A  man  froze  to  death  in  the  road 
with  a  jug  of  rum  between  his  feet. 

On  the  15th,  I  succeeded  in  reaching  Livermore,  but 
suffered  severely.  16th,  went  to  Jay  and  Wilton.  It 
being  Sabbath  the  people  were  at  meeting,  and  I  preached 
to  them  day  and  evening.  They  thought  some  one  had 
given  me  their  history,  but  no  one  had,  save  my  inward 
impressions.  I  then  went  to  Farmington,  Me.,  and  preach- 
ed. Many  attended  these  meetings  as  it  was  my  first  visit 
to  this  section  of  country.  The  Lord  had  many  saints  in 
these  regions.  There  were  also  many  Universalis ts.  They 
reported  that  "  I  took  their  building  to  pieces,  laid  it  apart, 
stick  by  stick,  and  then  threw  the  pieces  away.'* 

Returned  to  Wilton  and  preached,  and  then  visited  Mount 
Vernon.  Here  several  preachers  and  many  people  from  a 
distance  came  to  hear  the  "  strange,  singular  preacher." 
The  text  I  used  at  that  meeting  was,  "  Love  the  brother- 
hood." The  brotherhood  was  described,  how  they  became 
so,  their  love  to  the  saints,  and  its  results.  Many  wept, 
some  rejoiced,  and  sinners  were  alarmed  to  find  the  conse- 
quence of  not  being  of  said  brotherhood.  It  was  a  good 
time.  I  then  returned  to  Gray,  preached  and  baptized, 
and  the  month  closed. 

I  labored  until  the  13th  of  March  in  Gray,  New  Glou- 
cester, Pownal,  &c.     A  Dr.  Little  and  a  lawyer  opposed 


98  LIFE   OF   ELDER   MARK    FERNALD. 

me  considerably  in  New  Gloucester.  They  accused  me  of 
writing  or  of  having  written  discourses,  which  was  not  the 
case. 

I  was  suffering  the  effects  of  my  cold  and  freezing,  and 
was  quite  unwell,  having  a  dysentery  and  quite  a  fever 
upon  me,  when  two  men  requested  me  to  baptize  them. 
To  satisfy  them  I  did  so,  which  was  wrong.  I  succeeded 
in  getting  to  Gorham,  where  I  had  a  trying  time.  My 
exposure,  labor  and  fatigue  had  deranged  my  whole  sys- 
tem ;  but  H.  H.,  a  Thomsonian  practitioner,  rendered  me 
great  relief.  He  used  very  powerful  medicine,  which  had 
a  severe  operation  on  me,  but  relieved  me.  After  a  pow- 
erful steam  and  sweat,  they  poured  ten  quarts  of  cold 
water  on  my  head  and  naked  body,  and  the  next  day 
wrapped  me  up  and  carried  me  three  miles,  where  I 
preached  twice,  and  at  evening  I  was  carried  two  miles 
more  where  I  preached  again.  I  was  very  feeble  ;  but, 
however,  I  did  not  die.  Several  cried  aloud  to  God  for 
pardon  of  sin. 

As  I  was  unwilhng  to  cause  a  disappointment,  I  was 
carried  to  Windham  and  preached  nearly  two  hours.  I 
believe  the  Lord  blessed  His  truth,  but  I  was  so  feeble  at 
the  close  that  a  feed  was  brought  into  the  room  for  me  to 
rest.  On  the  19th,  I  was  conveyed  to  Gorham,  (Fort 
Hill,)  and  by  urgent  request,  preached.  Heard  the  expe- 
rience of  three,  and  went  to  the  river  and  baptized  them. 
After  being  dry  and  warm,  was  conveyed  four  miles  farther 
and  preached  again  to  a  meeting  of  strangers  who  were 
very  serious.  I  was  not  deranged  in  doing  so.  I  felt  so 
much  for  perishing  sinners  and  dull  professors,  I  could 
have  no  peace  but  through  warning  them.     While  I  was 


LIFE   OP  ELDER  MARK    FERNALD.  99 

preaching  or  prajing  mj  feelings  would  be  so  deeply 
•wrought  upon  that  I  felt  but  little  infirmity.  "When  my 
duty  was  done,  my  strength  was  gone.  I  could  take  but 
little  food,  and  would  have  restless  nights.  In  this  feeble 
state  I  was  conveyed  to  my  appointments. 

I  reached  Kittery  on  the  22d  ;  preached  once,  but 
another  cold  by  exposure  prostrated  me.  I  was  carried 
to  brother  B.  Johnson's.  Brother  and  sister  Johnson  were 
excellent  nurses,  and  well  skilled  in  the  use  of  medicine. 
They  administered  such  remedies  as  were  needful,  and 
though  the  operation  was  severe  I  was  soon  relieved,  but 
was  not  able  to  preach  again  until  April. 

I  spent  the  most  of  April  in  Kittery,  occasionally  visiting. 
Portsmouth  and  York.  I  was  very  much  tried  in  mind  at 
the  commencement  of  the  month  ;  remained  rather  feeble 
in  body ;  had  several  meetings,  some  of  which  were  truly 
refreshing,  and  some  of  the  youth  were  led  to  the  Savior. 
In  Portsmouth  had  one  good  meeting,  in  which  a  fatherless 
youth,  formerly  of  Kittery,  cried  to  Heaven  for  a  heavenly 
Father.  I  visited  the  north  part  of  York  among  stran- 
gers ;  had  a  meeting  in  which  the  Lord  gave  me  great  fife 
and  power.  A  youth,  of  the  Presbyterian  church,  cried 
aloud,  warning  her  mates.  It  was  a  weeping  time.  Some- 
times I  was  scarcely  able  to  stand  to  preach,  but  the  power 
and  spirit  of  truth  took  away  my  infirmities.  On  the  9th, 
I  received  a  letter  informing  me  that  my  good,  faithful 
brother.  Elder  John  Colby,  had  given  up  to  die  ;  and  on 
the  18th,  was  informed  that  brother  Moses  Howe  was  also 
so  unwell  that  he  had  to  cease  preaching  for  a  season.  I 
felt  to  say.  Shall  all  the  laborers  cease  because  of  the 
hardness  of  the  people  ?     Having  received  some  letters 


100  LIFE   OF  ELDER  MARK   FERKALB. 

from  the  East  in  relation  to  trials  in  Zion,  and  being  toa 
unwell  to  visit  them,  I  wrote,  giving  such  instruction  as  I 
could.  Had  some  battles  with  disorderly  walkers  who  had 
combined  to  make  disturbance. 

Labored  in  Kitterj,  York,  Berwick  and  Portsmouth 
until  the  29th  of  May.  Had  some  severe  trials  of  mind, 
and  at  one  time  thought  I  could  preach  no  more.  I  had 
severe  trials,  also,  on  account  of  the  disobedience  of  pro- 
fessed Christians ;  for  often  when  the  Spirit  of  God  was 
evidently  operating  on  the  minds  of  sinners,  and  calling 
the  saints  to  bear  testimony  to  the  truth,  they  would  grieve 
the  Spirit  and  thereby  bring  darkness  upon  their  own 
minds  and  death  into  the  meeting  ;  but  during  the  month 
had  many  good  reformation  meetings,  and  saw  some  souls 
converted.  Had  two  baptizing  seasons.  On  one  of  these 
occasions  a  Presbyterian  sister  led  her  daughter  to  the 
water  and  rejoiced  to  see  her,  with  others,  follow  Jesus. 
The  good  minister  was  present,  and  though  he  did  not 
administer  the  ordinance  himself,  yet  he  gave  his  cordial 
consent  and  countenance,  for  he  had  previous  to  this  led 
his  wife  and  daughter  to  the  same  baptismal  waters. 

On  the  4th  inst.  I  preached  at  the  same  place  where  I 
was  ordained  by  man.  A  very  large  body  of  people  col- 
lected, and  some  wept ;  but  they  were  a  hard  people. 
Some  smiled  and  wondered  at  my  calling  grog  shops,  "  the 
Devil's  slaughter-houses  to  kill  souls."  At  one  time,  like 
Paul,  I  preached  by  the  "  river  side  where  prayer  waa 
wont  to  be  made."  A  large  congregation  were  together, 
and  strange  as  it  may  appear,  I  was  the  only  man.  At 
one  meeting,  held  for  those  who  wished  to  be  baptized,  to 
relate  the  Lord's  work  on  their  hearts,  we  were  astonished 


LIFE   OF  ELDER  MARK   FERNALD.  101 

bj  an  ignorant  youth,  and  wondered  at  the  Lord's  mercy 
to  the  child.  I  felt  that  I  had  respected  persons  too  much, 
and  was  condemned  therefor.  Visited  a  woman  eighty- 
nine  years  of  age,  who  was  firm  in  health,  a  stranger  to 
pain  or  sickness,  and  eyesight  good,  yet  without  an  evi- 
dence of  salvation,  while  a  neighbor  ten  years  younger  was 
languishing  with  pain  and  putrefying  sores,  and  crying  for 
rehef,  even  by  death.  I  was  led  to  wonder  at  this  contrast 
in  mortals.  God  only  knows.  On  the  29th,  went  to  Far- 
mington;  met  many  people,  and  three  preachers.  Had  a 
good  meeting.  On  the  30th,  parted  with  J.  Badger  and 
wife  who  were  going  to  Genesee  Falls  to  reside  and  preach. 
31st,  rode  to  Wolfborough  in  a  hail  and  rain  storm.  I 
found  that  three  sisters  in  Jesus  had  gone  to  the  grave 
during  my  absence.  When  I  entered  the  house  of  brother 
Jones,  whose  burial  I  attended  on  the  24th  of  December, 
and  whose  house  had  ever  been  a  home  to  me  from  the 
first^  I  found  sister  Jones  was  one  of  the  number  who  had 
gone  to  rest.  None  can  describe  my  feeHngs  as  I  gazed 
on  the  children,  and  took  the  two  babes  in  my  arms. 
"Dust  we  are  and  unto  dust  we  must  return." 

June  1st,  met  many  people  at  Wolfborough,  from  sev- 
eral towns  ;  the  Lord  assisted  in  preaching  his  word  ;  some 
gave  in  their  testimony,  and  warned  the  wicked  to  flee  the 
wrath  to  come.  On  the  3d,  went  to  Tuftonborough, 
preached  and  baptized.  Had  some  more  meetings,  and 
then  returned  to  Wolfborough ;  had  some  meetings  there, 
and  on  the  6th,  at  evening,  went  to  Ossipee,  in  company 
with  Elder  Noah  Piper.  Although  some  had  gone  to  the 
grave,  and  two  were  buried  in  one  grave  in  Wolfborough, 

yet  many  remained  careless.      At  Wolfborough  I  was 
9* 


102  LIFE   OF  ELDER  MARK   FERNALD. 

attacked  by  a  preacher,  when  I  felt  the  need  of  grace  to 
keep  down  Mark.  Some  men's  skill  is  to  have  their  will. 
Some  souls  were  brought  to  repentance.  Preached  at 
Brookfield,  in  a  stable,  to  hundreds  of  people,  and  He  who 
was  born  in  a  manger,  was  present  also. 

On  the  14th,  went  to  New  Durham,  and  attended  the 
Free-will  Baptist  yearly  meeting.  There  were  several 
preachers  who  were  very  much  out  of  their  lot,  but  Elder 
J.  Buzzell  spoke  for  the  Lord,  and  did  good.  Being  very 
unwell,  I  had  but  a  short  testimony,  and  felt  the  need  of 
preachers  having  wisdom  and  true  understanding  to  know 
what  kills  converts,  and  what  builds  Zion.  How  much 
crushing  in  meetings  where  self,  pride  and  ambition  rule. 
On  the  evening  of  the  16th,  at  10  o'clock,  the  Lord  raised 
trumpeters  who  gave  the  alarm  to  the  people. 

I  then  visited  Farmington,  and  had  a  solemn  season ; 
saints  rejoiced  and  sinners  wept.  Visited  South  Berwick, 
preached  and  baptized.  There  I  met  with  brother  Oba- 
diah  E.  Morrill,  a  young  man  from  New  Hampshire.  I 
found  him  profitable  to  the  church  of  God.  Returned 
home,  and  had  several  meetings  in  Kittery ;  one  in  Ports- 
mouth, with  Elder  Moses  Howe,  whose  health  had  improved. 
Went  again  to  South  Berwick.  Found  one  who  had  been 
three  and  a  half  years  in  distress  of  mind,  happy  in  Jesus. 
Attended  to  church  labor.  The  Lord  was  at  work,  and 
so  was  satan,  for  he  was  trying  to  get  some  of  the  disciples 
to  beheve  and  practice  contrary  to  Scripture  and  reason, 
under  the  idea  that  they  had  received  new  hght  beyond 
God's  word.  I  endeavored  to  show  the  church  the  im- 
portance of  cleansing  the  house,  by  putting  the  evil  ones 
from  among  us.     How  many  who  were  once  humble,  have, 


LIFE   OF  ELDER  MARK   FERNALD.  103 

for  the  gratifying  of  self  and  lust,  turned  back.  Preached 
once  in  Somersworth. 

On  the  4th  of  July,  as  usual,  we  met  for  religious  wor- 
ship at  South  Berwick.  At  2  o'clock,  a  large  body  of 
people  assembled  to  bury  Nathaniel  Grant,  aged  74  years. 
It  was  a  very  solemn  season.  The  widow,  six  sons,  six 
daughters,  and  many  friends,  followed  the  deceased  to  the 
grave.  On  the  5th,  we  had  appointed  a  church  meeting. 
Before  going  to  the  meeting,  I  visited  the  family  of  the 
deceased.  On  my  way  I  had  an  exercise  in  my  mind 
about  hail,  but  thought  as  it  was  warm  and  very  pleasant, 
where  can  it  come  from?  When  I  arrived  at  the  house,  I 
found  the  friends,  with  some  neighbors  that  had  come  in  to 
weep  with  them,  in  great  distress.  We  began  to  pray, 
and  the  good  Spirit  met  us  in  power,  and  soon  the  hail,  of 
large  size,  came  in  torrents,  roaring  terribly.  It  came  in 
a  vein  of  about  a  mile  in  width.  One  young  man  fell  and 
cried  for  mercy ;  another  followed,  and  soon  a  third ;  also 
several  of  the  young  women  of  the  house,  and  neighbors 
present.  The  son,  Nathaniel,  had  no  sooner  fallen  and 
cried  to  Heaven  for  mercy,  than  the  glory  of  Christ  filled 
his  soul,  which  made  him  shout  the  high  praises  of  God. 
A  sister  who  had  been  converted  about  three  years,  and 
another  two  weeks,  joined  him  to  give  glory  to  the  Lord. 
I  told  them  I  had  preached  all  I  could,  and  now  the  Lord 
had  a  more  powerful  preacher,  called  hail.  The  scene 
was  solemn. 

I  went  to  the  church  meeting,  and  endeavored  to  show 
them  God's  order  in  his  house.  It  appeared  that  we  had 
done  our  duty  to  three,  accordmg  to  the  New  Testament, 
and  that  they  had  gone  out  from  us,  and  it  was  so  recorded, 


104  LIFE   OF  ELDER  MARK    FERNALD. 

but  three  others,  who  were  worthy,  united  with  us.  Thus 
Zion's  ranks  were  filled.  I  then  rode  to  Elliot,  and  stopped 
all  night  with  my  real  friends,  M.  Hammond  and  family. 
Preached  and  visited  daily,  in  Kittery,  York,  Elliot,  Ber- 
wick and  Portsmouth,  until  the  22d.  Saw  some  souls  bow 
to  Christ.  At  one  meeting,  some  were  offended  and  went 
out,  because  I  preached  truth  in  a  manner  to  try  hypocrites 
and  deceitful  and  careless  people.  In  visiting  the  sick,  I 
found  that  butchering  is  too  often  considered  doctoring, 
and  kiUing  is  thought  to  be  curing.  I  concluded  there 
were  roots  and  herbs,  gums  and  barks  enough  growing  in 
our  fields  to  cure  all  curable  diseases. 

On  the  22d,  started  on  a  journey  North,  in  company 
with  brother  Morrill.  Rode  to  Sanford,  and  stopped  at 
the  house  of  brother  Swett,  the  clergyman  of  that  town, 
whose  wife  was  brother  Morrill's  aunt.  We  were  very 
cordially  received,  and  kindly  treated.  Visited  Shapleigh, 
Wakefield,  Ossipee,  Wolfborough,  Tuftonborough,  and 
Brookfield.  Saw  much  of  the  glory  of  God  in  several  of 
these  places.  Some  rejoiced  in  the  Savior,  while  others 
were  crying  for  pardon.  Some  could  neither  eat  nor  sleep. 
The  28th,  I  preached  at  Tuftonborough.  It  was  a  day 
that  cannot  soon  be  forgotten.  While  many  were  crying 
for  mercy,  for  the  King's  arrows  had  sunk  deep  in  their 
hearts,  a  schoolmaster  said  there  was  no  chance  for  him  ; 
he  must  go  to  hell.  He  had  been  a  very  upright  man,  but 
found  his  righteousness  could  not  save  him.  True  seekers 
wiU  find  Christ  their  righteousness.  I  felt  at  this  time  to 
cry  mightily,  that  the  Lord  would  send  forth  laborers  into 
his  vineyard.  I  could  but  think  good  was  done,  though 
July  was  gone. 


LIFE   OF  ELDER  MARK   FERNALD.  105 

August,  I  commenced  at  South  Berwick.  Had  several 
good  meetings  in  that  town,  baptized  some  converts,  and 
broke  bread  to  the  church.  Visited  Lebanon,  EUiot,  York, 
Wells,  and  Portsmouth.  Had  some  good  seasons  in  preach- 
ing Christ,  and  saw  some  turn  to  the  Lord.  Baptized  at 
Kittery.  Had  also  some  severe  trials.  To  see  those  who 
professed  godliness,  turn  again  to  the  world  for  the  sake  of 
its  riches,  honors  or  pleasures,  to  me  is  distressing.  I 
found  my  brother  Elias  Smith  had  sunk  into  UniversaUsm. 
The  effect  of  leaving  preaching  for  men's  souls,  to  doctor 
their  bodies.  Why  will  men  leave  God  and  get  nothing. 
But  while  some  were  leaving  God  and  his  cause,  other 
circumstances  occurred  for  the  furtherance  of  the  gospel. 
On  the  evening  of  the  10  th,  a  place  that  had  formerly 
been  an  old  rendezvous  for  dancing,  was  opened  for  the 
preaching  of  Christ.     It  was  a  solemn  and  glorious  season. 

On  the  15th,  attended  the  burial  of  brother  William 
Boston,  of  Wells.  I  now  started  on  a  journey  East. 
Had  a  conflict  with  the  old  man.  My  horse  was  a  high 
spirited,  cross  animal,  and  it  seemed  that  the  Devil  had 
power  to  try  me.     I  resolved  to  sell  him  on  my  return. 

On  the  16th,  rode  to  Scarborough,  where  I  met  brother 
C.  Phinney,  and  found  a  glorious  reformation.  I  then 
preached  at  the  north  or  new  meeting  house,  and  then  at 
Dunstan  Corner,  so  called.  In  these  meetings  the  Lord 
gave  the  power,  and  the  people  felt  the  effect.  Visited 
Gorham,  and  preached  to  the  people.  Here  I  met  H.  H., 
who  attended  me  when  sick  the  March  previous,  and  who 
■was  still  laboring  for  the  good  of  the  bodies  and  souls  of 
men.  From  thence  to  Gray,  New  Gloucester,  Yarmouth, 
Pownal,  and  Durham.     At  Durham,  I  attended  the  F#ee- 


106  LIFE   OF  ELDER  MARK    PERNALD. 

will  Baptist  quarterly  meeting,  which  was  held  in  a  grove, 
near  the  Androscoggin  river.  Had  much  freedom  in 
preaching  the  word.  The  saints  rejoiced  and  sinners  wept. 
Visited  Brunswick,  and  found  the  saints  of  different  names 
united  and  happy.  Had  a  few  interesting  meetings. 
Crossed  the  river  to  Topsham ;  preached  to  a  small  com- 
pany ;  found  much  prejudice. 

■  Returned  to  New  Gloucester  by  the  way  of  Freeport. 
At  New  Gloucester  I  spent  the  Lord's  day,  which  was  the 
31st  inst.  The  people  collected  from  North  Yarmouth, 
Pownal,  Poland,  Raymond,  and  Gray,  to  hear  Mark 
Fernald.  There  were  more  assembled  than  I  had  ever 
seen  in  that  place  before.  The  Lord  gave  me  his  word 
from  Ezekiel  xviii:  20,  and  Acts  xvii :  30,  31.  Those 
meetings  will  be  long  remembered.  I  felt  in  one  of  these 
discourses  that  I  was  preaching  a  burial  sermon,  and  told 
the  people  my  feelings.  At  evening,  some  fell  from  their 
seats  crying  for  mercy.  The  meeting  continued  until  one 
o'clock,  the  next  morning.     Some  found  mercy. 

September  1st,  I  preached  at  Gray  Corner.  One  cried 
aloud  for  mercy,  which  alarmed  the  great  folks,  so  called. 
Went  to  Minot ;  visited  a  man  Avho  appeared  just  alive. 
I  was  informed  that  his  support  was  ten  gallons  of  sweet- 
ened water  and  a  little  flour  in  it,  the  most  of  which  he 
drank  in  the  forenoon ;  a  strange  complaint. 

Visited  Lewiston,  Lisbon  and  Bath.  Had  some  good 
meetings,  but  found  many  professors  too  worldly  minded 
and  too  much  conformed  to  the  world.  On  the  6th, 
crossed  the  Kennebec  river,  to  Woolwich,  and  attended 
the  Free-will  Baptist  yearly  meeting.  That  was  a  good 
annual  feast.     Many  were  convicted  and  some  converted. 


LIFE   OF  ELDER  MARK    FERNALD.  107 

In  the  evening  I  preached  at  Wiscasset.  During  this 
journey  I  preached  in  the  before-mentioned  towns,  and 
also  in  Portland,  Windham,  Standish,  Westbrook  and  in 
some  other  places.  In  some  of  these  towns  preached 
several  times,  besides  visiting  much.  In  the  most  of  these 
places  I  met  with  a  very  cordial  reception,  particularly  in 
Brunswick,  where  my  Baptist  brethren  received  me  joy- 
fully. At  some  of  my  appointments  throngs  of  people 
assembled,  and  many  of  the  meetings  will  long  be  remem- 
bered by  reason  of  God's  power. 

I  reached  home  on  the  26th,  having  had  a  profitable 
journey.  I  found  that  cutting  doctrine  did  not  suit  crooked 
people  ;  but,  notwithstanding,  it  was  the  best.  I  found 
also  that  I  could  not  suit  all  in  visiting,  for  though  I  usually 
preached  more  than  once  a  day  I  visited  all  in  my  power, 
yet  those  I  could  not  visit  found  fault. 

October  1st,  went  to  Portsmouth  and  attended  a  confer- 
ence of  the  Elders  and   brethren  called    "  Christians." 

Our  object  was  to  acquaint  ourselves  as  perfectly  as 
possible  with  the  New  Testament,  and  its  directions  to 
preachers  and  brethren  in  the  things  of  God.  Many 
met.  At  evening  I  returned  home  to  prepare  some  med- 
icine— a  medicine  unknown  to  others,  which  I  learned  from 
study,  practice,  a  revelation,  or  all.  It  was  the  first 
meeting  I  had  omitted  to  attend,  though  this  was  not  my 
appointment.  The  medicine  was  to  send  East,  and  bore 
with  such  weight  on"  my  mind  that  I  considered  it  my  duty 
to  attend  to  it  then.  The  conference  continued  until  1 
o'clock  P.  M.  on  the  3rd  inst.  Several  subjects  were  dis- 
cussed, but  no  measures  were  taken  to  help  the  distressed 


108  LIFE   OF  ELDER  MARK   FERNALD. 

and  backslidden  churches.  Most  of  the  ministers  had 
rather  preach  than  labor  in  the  churches.  I  told  them  I 
had  concluded  to  stand,  like  a  pine  stump,  until  I  rotted 
out  hj  death. 


LIFE   OF  ELDER  MARK  FERNALD.  109 


CHAPTER  XI. 

ATTENDS    THE    FREE-WILL     BAPTIST    YEARLY    MEETING 

SPIRITUAL     ANNIVERSARY  —  EIGHTEEN    HUNDRED     AND 
EIGHTEEN     COMMENCES    WITH    A    REVIVAL  —  A    SAVED' 

FAMILY  —  BECOMES    PASTOR    OF    THE    YORK    CHURCH 

MEETS    WITH    FANATICS    CALLED     COCHRANITES  —  TOUR 

EAST REFLECTIONS    UPON     THE    PHRASE   "  UNBOUNDEI> 

LOVE    OF  god" CONFERENCE   AT    GILMANTQN,  N.  H. 

TOUR    INTO    VERMONT   AND     CANADA  —  MEETS   ANOTHER 
CLASS    OF    FANATICS    CALLED    OSGOODITES  —  A    SOLEMN 


On  the  4th,  at  an  appointment  of  mine  in  Kittery,  I 
was  forcibly  struck  and  greatly  encouraged  by  the  testi- 
mony of  a  child  twelve  years  of  age,  who  gave  her  views 
and  feelings  on  worldly  amusements,  &c.  On  the  9th, 
having  sold  my  horse,  I  borrowed  a  horse  and  rode  to 
Berwick,  but  he  was  an  old,  contrary  one.  Visited  South 
Berwick,  Somersworth,  Elliot  and  York,  preaching  in  each 
place  and  seeing  some  signs  of  spiritual  rain,  as  well  as 
witnessing  some  spiritual  wickedness.  I  frequently  met 
with  hard  feelings  for  opposing  wickedness  in  professors, 
but  truth  must  come.  I  reached  home  on  the  16th,  re- 
10 


110  LIFE   OF  ELDER  MARK  FERNALD. 

turned  my  borrowed  liorse,  and  felt  quite  relieved  from  my 
hondage. 

On  the  20th,  I  started  on  a  journey  North.  When  I 
arrived  at  Wolf  borough,  I  found  some  happy  in  the  Lord, 
who  were  in  distress  of  mind  when  I  last  saw  them,  which 
greatly  cheered  my  heart.  Had  several  meetings  in  Far- 
mington,  Brookfield,  and  Wolfborough,  which  were  re- 
joicing and  weeping  seasons.  Baptized  at  Wolfborough. 
On  the  31st,  started  for  Gorham,  to  attend  the  Free-will 
Baptist  yearly  meeting. 

The  meetings  and  conference  were  held  on  the  2d  and 
8d  of  November.  I  preached  several  times ;  the  Lord 
helped  me  remarkably,  especially  on  the  evening  of  the  3d. 
I  then  visited  Newfield,  and  returned  to  Wolfborough. 
I  found  at  one  time  while  visiting,  three  converts  in  the 
road  with  three  distressed  souls,  reading,  crying,  &c. 
They  remained  there  several  hours,  seeking  the  Lord. 
On  the  9th,  visited  Tuftonborough ;  had  several  meetings, 
and  on  the  12th,  went  to  Ossipee.  On  the  17th,  baptized 
at  Wolfborough,  having  attended  many  meetings  in  these 
several  towns,  and  also  in  New  Durham.  I  returned  home 
on  the  27th.  Met  Nancy  Shepard,  a  female  preacher, 
who  held  a  meeting  in  the  north  part  of  the  town.  It  was 
a  large  gathering.  Preached  to  the  people  in  Kittery  the 
remaining  days  of  the  month. 

December  I  commenced  in  Kittery.  The  4th,  being 
Thanksgiving  day,  we  had  meetings,  and  in  the  evening  I 
rode  four  miles  to  prove  the  Devil  a  liar.  A  dance  was 
to  come  off  that  evening,  and  the  dancing  people  had  given 
out  word  that  they  would  break  up  our  meeting  if  we 
attempted  to  have  one.     I  told  them,  guns  that  snapped, 


LIFE    OF   ELDER   MARK    FERNALD.  HI 

did  but  little  execution.  We  had  a  large  gathering,  more 
than  could  crowd  into  the  house,  and  the  word  came  with 
power. 

On  the  6th,  attended  monthly  conference,  and  at  even- 
ing wrote  till  one  o'clock,  this  being  the  anniversary  that 
closes  ten  years  of  my  pilgrimage  toward  heaven.  0,  the 
good  will  of  Heaven  to  me.  How  many  dangers  and  snares 
I  have  escaped.  How  many  trials  and  diflaculties  I  have 
surmounted.  And  how  many  thousands  I  have  preached 
to,  that  in  all  probability  will  never  hear  my  voice  again ; 
I  never  shall  see  them  more,  forever.  I  have  traveled 
thousands  of  miles  to  preach  Christ,  but  0,  my  weakness, 
short  comings,  and  imperfections.  Hoping  my  future  mo- 
ments, whether  few  or  many,  may  be  improved  better  than 
the  past,  I  drop  my  pen  to  rest  my  body,  trusting  in 
Heaven  for  protection,  and  that  through  grace  I  shall  yet 
overcome,  and  reign  with  Jesus  in  glory.     Amen. 

Attended  meetings  on  the  7th,  and  baptized  three. 
Had  a  meeting  on  the  8th,  and  on  the  9th  received  a  visit 
from  brother  John  Boothby,  from  Saco.  On  the  evening 
of  the  10th,  we  had  a  meeting  at  our  old  Israelitish  mother 
Ingraham's,  who  had  used  religion  seventy-eight  years, 
and  still  loved  it  as  well  as  ever.  It  was  profitable,  yea, 
blessed  to  meet  with  this  old  pilgrim.  It  was  truly  en- 
couraging to  the  young,  as  w^ell  as  to  the  aged.  She  was 
in  her  ninety- third  year,  and  waiting  to  go  home. 

11th:  wrote  several  letters  of  advice  and  council,  and 
prepared  to  take  a  tour,  which  I  commenced  that  evening. 
Visited  Elhot,  South  Berwick,  Earmington,  New  Durham, 
Wolf  borough,  Brookfield,  Ossipee,  and  Tuftonborough ; 
having  meetings  in  these  several  places.     On  the  31st,  the 


112  LIFE   OF  ELDER  MARK    FERNALD. 

last  day  of  the  year,  I  baptized  at  Wolf  borougli.  in  Smith's 
Pond  ;  then  rode  to  Brookfield,  and  held  a  meeting  to  close 
the  year,  at  Charles  Giles's.  The  meeting  was  attended 
•with  great  power,  and  Jesus  got  the  honor  of  conquering 
souls. 

1818.  January  1st,  the  work  of  God  went  on  glori- 
ously in  Brookfield.  I  rode  to  Wolf  borough,  and  baptized 
two  middle  aged  men,  two  women,  and  two  young  men. 
That  was  a  good  day.  On  the  6th,  many  met  to  hear  the 
word.  Mark  Fogg,  an  aged  man,  gave  us  an  account  of 
his  conviction  and  conversion.  He  said  that,  "  six  and 
a  half  years  before,  he  went  to  hear  me  preach.  He  was 
at  that  time  a  Universalist ;  that  three  times  he  attempted 
to  strike  his  brother-in-law,  because  he  smiled  at  him, 
while  I  was  preaching."  He  felt  his  Universalism  shaken, 
but  left  the  place,  and  fortii&ed  himself  so  much,  that  he 
said,  that  neither  Mark  Fernald,  the  Lord,  nor  the  Devil, 
could  shake  him.  He  thought  he  had  the  Lord's  word 
on  his  side  ;  but  when  he  heard  again,  he  lost  all  his  ar- 
mor. He  then  resorted  to  his  strict  morality,  but  that 
was  not  sufficient.  He  found  no  peace  until  he  found  it 
in  Jesus ;  and  had  waited  until  the  present  time,  to  be  bap- 
tized. We  repaired  to  the  water,  and  rejoiced  to  see  the 
cripple  go  down  the  banks  of  our  Jordan. 

On  the  9th,  I  baptized  John  Furber,  aged  76,  and  two 
young  persons.  Preached  daily  in  Wolf  borough  and  the 
adjoining  towns,  and  visited  all  I  could.  The  work  of  the 
Lord  went  on  gloriously.  On  the  13th,  I  returned  home. 
On  the  15th,  and  16th,  brother  M.  Howe  visited  us,  and 
preached  the  word  of  life.  Remained  at  home  a  few 
days,  preaching  in  Kittery,  York,  and  Portsmouth,  and 


LIFE   OF   ELDER  MARK    FERNALD.  113 

then  started  again  for  the  hill  country.  Stopped  at  El- 
liot, South  Berwick,  and  Milton,  by  the  way,  and  reached 
Wolf  borough  on  the  31st. 

February.  The  roads  were  very  much  blocked  with 
snow  ;  but  the  Lord  was  showing  mercy  to  the  people,  and 
the  king's  highway  was  being  cleared.  I  visited  and 
preached  daily,  administering  to  soul  and  body,  for  several 
days.  In  several  meetings,  Jesus  came  down  like  rain 
upon  the  grass.  While  the  Lord  was  at  work  the  Devil 
was  not  idle,  but  continually  striving  to  stir  up  discord. 
Mischief  is  too  often  done  by  telling  hear-says. 

On  the  11th,  though  the  roads  were  very  much  blocked, 
I  broke  my  way  to  Newfield.  From  thence  to  Standish, 
and  on  the  13th,  set  out  for  Gray  Corner.  The  traveling 
being  so  extremely  bad,  it  was  difficult  for  two  carriages 
to  pass  each  other.  In  Windham,  I  met  two  teams  loaded 
with  boards  ;  I  did  my  best  to  turn  out  into  the  snow,  and 
requested  them  to  stop,  but  one  of  them  drove  against  my 
sleigh,  and  broke  it  down,  and  went  on  his  way.  I  tried 
to  keep  cool^  but  old  Mark  wanted  to  pay  him,  or  seek 
pay  and  punish  him,  to  do  him  good  in  the  future.  But 
vengeance  is  the  Lord's.  0  !  the  cruelty  of  numb  heads, 
and  hard  hearts. 

On  the  14th,  I  found  the  benefit  of  understanding  how 
to  use  tools,  for  by  this  means  I  got  my  sleigh  repaired. 
Spent  the  remainder  of  the  month  in  the  towns  in  the  re- 
gion of  Gray  and  New  Gloucester.  Met  with  brethren 
Obadiah  E.  Morrill,  and  John  Boothby.  Had  a  number 
of  refreshing,  and  I  think,  profitable  meetings. 

As  March  commenced,  great  rains  came  on,  which  ren- 
dered it  very  bad  travehng,  and  in  some  places  it  was 
10* 


114  LIFE   OF  ELDER  MARK    FERNALD. 

'impossible  to  travel,  and  I  had  to  give  out  my  appointments 
conditionally.  On  the  3d,  I  visited  a  dying  sister.  There 
was  something  remarkable  in  that  family,  and  something 
to  encourage  parents  to  pray.  In  the  space  of  seven 
years,  a  mother,  and  five  daughters  died  happy  in  the 
Lord  ;  and  in  seven  years  more,  the  father,  four  daugh- 
ters, and  one  son,  (five  more  children)  all  the  family, 
were  brought  to  rejoice  in  Christ  Jesus. 

On  the  5th,  went  to  Portland.  Found  brother  S. 
Rand,  at  home.  But  I  found  brother  C.  Phinney  un- 
justly detained  for  twenty-one  days,  but  Jesus  was  with 
him,  and  good  was  done  by  his  confinement.  It  was  cold 
weather  ;  and  though  I  attempted  to  preach,  it  appeared 
to  me  there  was  not  warmth  for  soul  or  body.  Preached 
in  Scarborough  several  times,  and  also  at  Windham,  where 
in  the  evening  a  contribution  was  taken  up,  to  release  a 
preacher  froiii  unjust  imprisonment.  Went  from  thence 
to  Wolf  borough,  preaching  by  the  way  at  Newfield  and 
Ossipee.  When  I  reached  my  good  friend  Moses  Thomp- 
son's, I  found  his  wife,  one  of  my  best  earthly  friends,  had 
gone  to  rest.  She  died  happy  in  the  Lord.  Preached  in 
Wolfborough,  Tuftonborough,  and  Brookfield,  until  the 
26th,  when  I  started  for  Kittery,  stopping  at  Berwick  and 
Elliot,  by  the  way.  I  found  my  friends  well ;  but  five  of 
the  towns-people  had  died. 

April  3d,  visited  York.  It  was  stormy.  Two  vessels 
were  wrecked  near  the  harbor.  I  thought  how  important 
that  we  strive  to  enter  into  heaven,  and  not  shipwreck  our 
faith  before  we  reach  the  haven.  On  the  8th,  attended 
the  burial  of  the  before  named  aged  saint,  Elizabeth  In- 
graham.     Preached,  visited,  and  labored  with  my  hands 


LIFE   OF   ELDER  MAEK   FERNALD.  115 

in  Kittery  ;  also  preached  in  York,  South  Berwick,  Sonv- 
ersworth,  Portsmouth,  North  Hampton,  Hampton  Falls, 
and  Seabrook,  during  this  month.  Some  did  not  like  to 
have  the  "  straight  and  narrow  way"  preached  to  them, 
but  as  that  was  New  Testament  preaching,  I  felt  bound 
to  preach  it. 

In  May,  I  preached  in  Kittery,  York,  Elliot,  Berwick, 
and  Portsmouth.  On  the  24th,  I  accepted  the  invitation, 
and  became  pastor  of  the  church  at  York.  On  the  26th, 
preached  with  power  and  freedom  at  the  opening  of  a  new 
house  in  Kittery.  It  was  the  custom  with  many  to  open 
a  new  house  with  a  dancing  frohc.  The  mistress  of  that 
house,  in  a  solemn  and  powerful  exhortation,  showed  the 
difference  between  opening  a  house  with  the  old  custom  of 
dancing,  and  that  of  opening  it  to  hear  the  gospel.  In 
South  Berwick,  the  saints  were  comforted,  but  satan's 
disciples  tried  hard  to  disturb.  To  God  be  all  the  glory, 
for  the  victory  gained. 

June  1st.  The  good  work  of  the  Lord  was  going  on  in 
Kittery,  and  the  region  round  about,  but  previous  engage- 
ments made  it  necessary  for  me  to  go  North.  On  the 
4th,  I  reached  Farmington,  and  found  our  aged  friend  and 
brother,  Anthony  Peavey,  was  dead.  He  had  been  trav- 
eling Zionward  many  years,  had  lived  to  see  nearly  all 
his  children  converted,  and  one,  John  L.,  become  a  preacher 
of  the  gospel.  At  AYolf  borough,  Tuftonborough,  and  New 
Durham  Gore,  souls  were  turning  to  God,  but  in  Brook- 
field  my  heart  was  pained  to  find  some  turning  again  to 
sin.  Attended  the  Free-will  Baptist  yearly  meeting. 
Many  met,  and  good  news  was  brought  in  from  every 
direction.     About  two  hundred  converts  had  lately  been 


116  LIFE   OF   ELDER  MARK   FERNALD. 

made  to  rejoice,  in  Parsonsfield,  Me.  Two  female  preach- 
ers were  present,  viz:  Hannah  Hubbard  and  Clarissa 
Danforth.  Thej  preached  well.  Good  was  done,  but  the 
vile  conducted  vilely,  both  in  and  out  of  meeting.  On  the 
15th,  the  ungodly  rabble  met  from  several  towns,  to  riot 
in  gambling,  music,  drunkenness,  and  other  loose  conduct, 
commonly  attending.  Heard  Clarissa  Danforth  preach 
several  times  in  different  places.  The  Lord  blessed  her 
with  reformation.  Keturned  to  South  Berwick,  York, 
Portsmouth,  and  Kittery,  and  labored  in  these  towns  to 
the  close  of  the  month. 

July  1st.  At  5  o'clock,  I  met  with  the  Congregational 
church  and  minister,  who  requested  me  to  preach,  which  I 
considered  a  privilege  and  duty.  Had  an  interesting 
season.  Preached  in  Portsmouth,  and  on  the  4th,  it  being 
the  anniversary  of  our  national  independence,  with  others 
went  to  Berwick,  where  many  met  to  hear  the  gospel,  in- 
stead of  rioting.  However,  some  mean  men  called  esquires, 
brought  or  sent  some  spirituous  hquors,  and  other  needless 
things  for  such  a  place.  I  requested  that  the  religious 
meeting  and  the  drinking  meeting  should  be  held  separate. 
This  stirred  up  some  enmity,  but  they  took  my  advice,  and 
we  had  a  good  meeting.  Returned  to  Kittery ;  and  on 
the  5th,  being  about  to  take  another  journey,  I  felt  to 
declare  the  old  strait  path  of  self-denial.  On  the  7th, 
preached  at  Wells,  and  though  the  people,  through  mistake, 
had  been  together  two  hours  before  I  arrived,  they  heard 
patiently  two  hours  longer.  On  the  8th,  preached  in 
Scarborough,  and  on  the  9th,  in  Portland. 

It  was  something  of  a  trying  time  in  these  regions  at 
that  time.     A  singular  man,  named  Jacob  Cochran,  had  ap- 


LIFE   OF   ELDEE  MAKK    FERNALD.  117 

pearecl,  and  led  away  many  after  him  who  were  called 
Cochranites.  Some  were  good,  honest  souls,  but  they 
imbibed  a  hard,  censorious  spirit,  taking  zeal  for  the  true 
spirit.     I  thought  Acts  ix :  31,  gave  rest. 

On  the  10th,  I  went  to  Brunswick.  11th,  to  Topsham. 
I  then  went  to  Harpswell.  The  Islands  and  adjacent 
towns  afford  a  large  meeting.  I  found  but  few  disciples, 
but  the  day  will  not  be  forgotten.  Returned  to  Brunswick, 
and  had  a  powerful  meeting.  Some  cried  for  mercy,  while 
I  was  praying.  Brother  G.  Lamb  took  me  to  Bath,  and 
from  thence  to  Phipsburg.  Here  the  word  cut  its  way. 
Preached  at  Georgetown,  and  brother  Lamb  baptized. 
Preached  in  Lewiston,  Lisbon,  Bowdoin,  and  Bowdoinham. 
Also  in  New  Gloucester.  Saw  the  saints  quickened, 
heard  sinners  cry  for  mercy,  and  felt  that  good  was  done. 

On  the  30th,  I  started  toward  home,  and  on  the  31st, 
preached  in  Portland.  I  observed  the  impropriety  of 
speaking  of  God's  love  being  unbounded.  If  it  is  so, 
wicked  men,  devils  and  fallen  angels  must  all  be  included. 
It  must  extend  to  every  w^ord,  deed,  and  action,  however 
wicked  ;  for  unbounded  love  includes  the  whole  ;  sin  and 
holiness  are  all  one,  or  in  fact  there  can  be  neither.  But 
God  loved  the  world,  not  with  unbounded  love,  but  just  so 
much,  as  to  give  his  Son  to  save  man,  if  he  will  accept  the 
provision.     The  hounds  of  God's  love  fall  inside  of  sin. 

August  1st,  resumed  my  journey.  Went  to  West- 
brook,  thence  to  Gorham.  In  Windham  and  Gorham, 
there  were,  at  that  time,  an  humble,  happy  people,  who 
undertook  to  hve  near  Jesus.  On  the  6th,  I  arrived 
home.  I  seldom  returned  home,  or  visited  any  other 
place,  where  I  had  been  before,  though  my  absence  was 


118  LIFE   OF   ELDER   MARK  FERNALD. 

short,  without  finding  some  very  important  change,  often  by 
sickness  and  death.  Often  did  I  leave  persons  in  health, 
and  on  my  return,  found  them  near  death,  or  gone  to  the 
grave.  Very  frequently  it  was  so  with  the  youth,  and 
very  often  they  were  unprepared.  0  the  importance  of 
doing  up  life's  great  work  in  health. 

On  the  9th,  an  elderly  woman  (aged  T2  years)  related 
the  work  of  the  Spirit  in  her  soul,  which  was  a  cause  of 
rejoicing.  We  then  repaired  to  the  water,  where  I  bap- 
tized her.  I  preached  in  my  own,  and  the  adjoining  town 
of  York,  and  in  Portsmouth,  until  the  17th  ;  preaching  at 
evening,  visiting  in  the  afternoon,  while  I  labored  with  my 
tools  at  carpentering  in  the  forenoon.  Saw  one  soul  con- 
verted, and  heard  others  cry  for  mercy ;  while  in  one 
instance,  in  York,  my  meeting  was  broken  up  by  the  spirit 
of  the  devil  entering  a  professor,  and  causing  a  hysterical 
dance. 

On  the  17th,  in  company  with  brother  M.  Howe,  went 
to  Stratham,  and  spoke  to  the  people.  We  visited  in  that 
tour,  and  preached  to  the  people,  in  Hampton,  Hampton 
Falls,  Haverhill,  Bradford,  Rowley,  Salem  ;  brother  H.  went 
as  far  as  Boston.  At  Hampton  Falls,  we  met  with  brother 
David  Swett,  from  Gorham,  Maine,  "who  had  begun  to 
^  preach.  At  Hampton,  a  good  work  of  the  Lord  had  just 
commenced,  and  though  I  preached  with  freedom  and 
power,  a  young  convert,  who  four  days  before,  was  in  all 
the  pride  and  folly  of  the  world,  out  did  me  in  wounding 
sinners.  Returned  home,  heard  Clarissa  Danforth 
preach.  On  the  31st,  went  to  Farmington,  New  Hamp- 
shire. 

September  1st,  proceeded  on  my  journey.     At  New 


LIFE   OF  ELDER  MARK    FERNALD.  119 

Durham,  the  work  of  the  Lord  was  going  on  gloriously. 
Visited  Gilmanton.  Attended  a  conference  of  elders  and 
brethren.  Had  a  good  season,  and  agreed  to  meet  again 
on  the  3d  of  November,  at  Meredith.  Went  to  Alton, 
and  from  thence  to  Wolf  borough.  Found  some  trials,  but 
advised  the  brethren  to  keep  still,  and  look  unto  Jesus.  I 
found  the  Devil  trying  to  prevent  my  usefulness,  but  truth 
cut  its  way.  Preached  at  Tuftonborough,  and  from 
thence  I  went  to  Meredith.  I  preached  there,  but  on  the 
evening  of  the  12th,  I  lost  part  of  my  testimony  by  try- 
ing to  be  fashionable^  (*that  is,  praying  before  I 
preached.)  I  could  preach  the  people  up  to  the  cross,  but 
could  get  them  no  further.  I  told  the  people  the  Devil 
was  trying  to  prevent  a  revival.  Brother  Moses  Cheney 
said  if  he  had  been  the  adversary,  he  should  have  been  mad 
at  what  I  said,  and  I  suppose  the  Devil  was.  On  the  13th, 
Clarissa  Danforth  preached.  On  the  14th,  she  bade  farewell 
to  the  people,  to  go  home.  The  Lord  wrought  gloriously  in 
this  region.  Satan  was  disturbed,  and  his  children  be- 
haved fooHshly.  Preached  at  Guilford,  where  I  met  with 
Elders  Blaisdell  and  Martin.  Kemained  through  a  rain 
storm  with  William  Blaisdell,  a  kind  brother  preacher.  At 
Guilford,  I  also  met  with  brother  Davis.  I  baptized  two 
men  there.  Having  seen  much  of  the  glory  of  God,  I  left 
the  region  to  go  further  north. 

October  1st,  I  started  for  Vermont.  Attended  the 
Free-will  Baptist  yearly  meeting,  at  Corinth.  There  was 
a  great  gathering  of  people,  so  much  so  that  only  a  part 
of  them  could  enter  the  house.  I  stood  outside  the  door 
to  preach.  How  well  I  preached,  I  never  knew,  but  I 
felt  well,  and  the  people  cried  aloud  with  their  amens,  and 


120  LIFE   OP  ELDER  MARK   FERNALD* 

sinners  wept,  some  of  whom  were  so  deeply  wounded,  that 
I  kneeled  and  prayed  with  them,  and  then  left.  Visited 
Danville,  passing  through'  Topsham,  Groton,  and  Peacham. 
I  found  many  professors,  and  many  had  professed  religion 
in  the  past  two  years,  but  little  humility.  A  youth  re- 
marked, that  the  females  wore  one  ruffle^  when  under 
conviction,  two  when  converted,  and  iJiree  when  they 
joined  the  church;  and  I  concluded  they  would  have/owr 
when  they  came  to  the  communion  table  ;  for  curled  hair, 
ruffles,  and  ribbons,  were  extremely  plenty  among  pro- 
fessors. By  their  fruits  we  can  know  them  ;  but  0  !  the 
awful  deception  of  mortals,  to  mock  God  with  a  profession 
of  being  temples  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  and  still  Uving  in 
pride,  vanity,  wrath,  and  covetousness  ;  and  getting  angry 
when  reproved.  I  found  one  aged  pilgrim,  82  years  old, 
who  praised  the  Lord,  and  some  others  who  bore  testimony 
to  the  truth.  In  one  meeting,  a  man,  who  loved  rum 
better  than  he  did  the  gospel,  opposed,  but  I  spoke  my 
mind,  and  that  was,  that  drunken  men  and  dogs  get  no 
good  at  meeting. 

At  Wheelock,  I  was  cheered  to  find  some  happy  in  the 
Lord,  whom  I  left,  when  there  before,  in  the  gall  of  bit- 
terness. On  the  11th,  I  went  to  Sutton.  It  was  a  sol- 
emn day  to  me.  There  I  preached  in  the  meeting-house 
of  my  deceased  brother.  Elder  John  Colby.  My  great 
love  for  him  made  it  painful  to  see  his  friends  and  home, 
his  books,  and  other  things. 

I  tried,  as  faithfully  as  I  could,  to  warn  the  people  to 
prepare  to  meet  him  with  Christ  in  glory.  Preached  in 
Burke,  where  I  felt  rewarded  for  my  long  journey.  Thence 
to  Lyndon,  where  the  work  of  reformation  was  going  on. 


LIFE   OF  ELDER  MARK   FERNAL©.  121 

On  the  16th,  in  company  T\'ith  others,  went  to  Stanstead, 
Lower  Canada.     From  thence  to  Hatlej,  and  attended  a 
quarterly  meeting  of  the  people  called  Free-will  Baptists. 
My  health  failed,  and  I  was  far  from  home.     I  had  doubts 
of  the  impressions  and  manifestations  I  experienced  before 
I  left  home  to  visit  Vermont  and  Canada.     To  think  on 
others'  ease  and  earthly  comfort,   I  enquired.  Why  must 
I  go  ?     Why  must  I   continually  range   the  world  ?     0  !. 
that  mortals  knew  the  worth  of  the  gospel.     Though  sick 
and  weak,  yet  resolute,  I  commenced  preaching,  and  soon 
found  for  what  I  was  sent  to  Canada.     Saints  soon  began 
to   rejoice,    backshders   came   home,    and   sinners^  were 
brought  to  Christ.     When  I  preached  at  Stanstead  I  found 
some  had  come  sixteen  miles  to  hear  me.     At  the   plains 
the  tavern-keeper  tried  to  keep  the  people  from  attending 
meeting  by  introducing  the  doctrine  of  three  co-equals^  co- 
essentials  and  co-etenials,  while  I  knew  of  no  such  Bible 
doctrine,  though  a  very  popular  doctrine  in   the  world ; 
one  of  the  doctrines  of  men,  while  God  and  the  Bible  has 
but  one  doctrine.     However,  we  had  a  glorious  meeting. 
An  old  man  came  eighteen  miles  to  hear  my  farewell  to 
Canada.      The  tavern-keeper  asked  smart  pay,  and  he 
got  it.     I  was  disappointed  in  the  people.     I  had  often 
heard  of  a  wicked  set  of  runaways  who  had  taken  shelter 
in  Canada,  and  expected  to  find  a  very  depraved  popula- 
tion ;  but  I  found  the  people  civil  and  candid.     Crossed 
into  Vermont  and  visited  Boston,  St.  Johnsbury,  Water- 
ford,  Concord  and  Lunenburgh,  and  then  crossed  the  Con- 
necticut river  to  Lancaster,  New  Hampshire,  and  rode  to 
Northumberland.     Visited  Stratford,  Columbia  and  Cole- 
brook;  then  passed  the   Monadnock  mountain  and  Mo- 
ll 


122  LIFE    OF   ELDER   MARK   FERNALD. 

hawk  river,  so  called.  Stopped  at  Stewartstown.  I  was 
astonished  to  find  so  many  peojole  attending  meeting  as  I 
did  here,  a  place  that  ten  years  before  was  a  dense  wilder- 
ness. I  then  went  to  Dalton,  Littleton,  Landaff  and  New 
Concord.  Many  people  came  out  to  hear  the  word.  At 
New  Concord  the  Lord  had  wrought  a  great  reformation. 
The  converts  were  happy,  though  too  much  conformed  to 
the  vain  fashions  of  the  world  in  ruffles  and  hoius^  but  I 
thought  the  Lord  would  learn  them  better,  if  they  followed 
Him.  At  Sugar  Hill,  so  called,  there  was  a  great  gather- 
ing of  people  in  the  evening.  Some  of  them  came  seven 
miles.  The  Lord  rewarded  them,  for  we  had  a  glorious 
season..  On  the  29th,  I  passed  through  Franconia  and 
Lincoln  to  Peeling.  In  the  Long  Woods,  I  got  hedged  up 
by  trees  that  were  blown  down,  and  only  got  through  by 
leaping  my  horse.  On  the  30th,  I  reached  Meredith, 
having  been  absent  thirty  days — traveled  four  hundred 
and  eighty-five  miles — attended  thirty-five  meetings,  and 
preached  thirty-one  sermons.  The  Lord  was  good  to  his 
poor  servant. 

November  3d,  the  Elders  and  brethren  met  according 
to  previous  appointment,  in  conference,  at  Meredith.  Our 
anxiety  was  to  find  the  order  of  the  church  of  the  first 
born.  Brother  Moses  Cheney  presented  a  collection  of 
texts  or  passages  of  Scripture,  which  he  had  collected,  re- 
lating to  the  house  of  God.  Though  some  took  no  part, 
and  appeared  to  have  no  part  with  us,  the  most  present 
encouraged  the  work,  and  it  was  published.  It  was  called 
''The  Behever's  Assistant."  I  was  very  hoarse,  but 
preached  daily.  Had  but  little  rest  at  night,  save  in  my 
chair,  being  troubled  at  my  lungs.     On  the  6th,  when  we 


LIFE    OF   ELDER   MARK    FERNALD.  123 

attended  to  family  worship  in  the  morning,  at  brother  Che- 
ney's, his  twin  daughters,  aged  15,  bowed  and  cried  for 
mercy.  We  remained  in  prayer  until  between  11  and  12 
o'clock,  when  one  was  brought  to  rejoice  in  the  Lord.  On 
the  7th,  in  a  family  found  two  in  distress  of  mind,  one  of 
which  was  sick.  The  people  mistook  his  sickness.  I  prayed- 
mymind  before  the  Lord,  and  the  man  left  his  bed,  went  to 
the  woods,  bowed  before  Jesus,  found  pardon  and  received 
no  injury.  Heaven  be  praised  for  the  Lord's  way  of 
converting  souls.  My  lungs  grew  better  ;  saints  rejoiced, 
and  sinners  wept.  Men,  women  and  children  cried  for 
mercy,  confessing  their  need  of  Christ.  0,  the  strength 
of  Zion's  King  to  help  such  a  worm  as  myself.  I  was 
desirous  to  visit  Kittery,  but  the  good  work  of  reforma- 
tion went  on  with  such  power  at  Meredith,  that  I  saw  no 
place  to  leave.  There  was  a  desire  among  some  that  our 
exercises  and  the  tone  of  our  voices  should  be  moderate, 
but  the  converts,  as  well  as  myself,  broke  the  moderation 
rule,  and  one  who  was  most  desirous  for  moderation,  began 
to  cry  aloud,  clap  his  hands,  and  even  stamp.  I  concluded 
it  was  best  to  be  careful  about  hulling  the  wheat  before  it 
was  full  grown,  and  not  pull  up  tares  in  time  of  wheat 
blooming,  but  sow  good  seed  and  leave  the  event  with  the 
Lord. 

On  the  23d,  I  went  to  Gilmanton ;  preached  to  the  peo- 
ple, and  saw  one  converted  before  the  meeting  closed. 
On  the  24th,  baptized  brother  M.  Osborn  and  wife,  near 
sunset.  From  thence  to  Barnstead,  Barrington  and  Roch- 
ester. On  the  26th,  went  to  South  Berwick,  and  met  with 
Frederick  Clark,  a  preacher.  Returned  home  on  the 
27th,  having  been  absent  three  months,  traveled  about 


124  LII^E   OF   ELDER  MARK    FERNALD. 

eight  hundred  and  forty  miles,  attended  one  hundred  and 
ten  meetings,  seen  much  of  God's  power  manifested  and 
experienced  much  of  His  goodness. 

In  December,  I  labored  in  Kittery,  York,  Berwick  and 
Portsmouth.  Brother  M.  Cheney  having  pubhshed  his 
"  Behever's  Assistant,"  I  recommended  it ;  but  some  want- 
ed no  regulations  but  what  they  called  the  Spirit.  0,  the 
folly  of  weak  people.  At  Portsmouth  they  had  prepared 
a  large  gallery  for  singers,  and  the  unconverted  occupied 
it,  and  as  I  would  not  set  them  at  work  many  were  disaf- 
fected, but  I  felt  justified,  as  the  Lord  is  only  worshiped 
in  spirit  and  truth,  though  many  professors  appear  nearly 
blinded  to  the  true  worship  of  God. 

Friends  had  compassion  on  me  and  furnished  me  with 
means  to  purchase  some  clothing.  As  the  year  ended  I 
could  but  view  myself  an  object  of  Heaven's  mercy, 
spared  to  do  good,  and  though  I  had  traveled  between 
twenty-five  hundred  and  three  thousand  miles,  preached 
three  hundred  and  seventy-five  times  to  thousands  of  per- 
sons, besides  attending  conferences  and  church  meetings  ; 
spent  one  hundred  and  twenty-five  dollars,  the  most  of 
which  was  given  me  during  the  year;  labored  with  my 
hands  at  my  trade  ;  prepared  medicine  for  the  sick ; 
visited  the  afilicted,  and  seen  many  converted,  yet  I  feared 
I  had  not  been  as  profitable  as  I  might  have  been.  I 
found  also  that  I  had  my  badge  of  honor,  viz  :  "  Reviled 
for  Christ's  sake." 

1819.  January:  Visited  Stratham  and  Hampton,  New 
Hampshire,  and  Amesbury,  Newburyport  and  Salisbury, 
Massachusetts.  Thence  to  Seabrook,  New  Hampshire, 
and  on  the  9th,  met  with  brother  John  Harriman  at  Hamp- 


LIFE    OP   ELDER   MARK   FERNALD.  125 

ton,  and  found  a  good  reformation.  On  the  10th,  brother 
Harriman  and  myself  broke  bread  to  the  church.  Met 
with  Clarissa  Danforth  at  Newburjport,  and  also  at  Sea- 
brook.  She  warned  the  people  with  tears.  At  Seabrook 
one  convert  spoke  for  Jesus.  On  the  11th,  went  to  Strat- 
ham,  where  I  found  brother  Noah  Piper  had  met  the  peo- 
ple for  baptizing.  A  reformation  was  in  progress.  Saints 
were  praying  and  enemies  were  raging.  Preached  in 
Portsmouth,  Kittery  and  York  as  usual. 

February  4th,  I  visited  South  Berwick  and  found  a  new 
sect,  vulgarly  called  Cochranites,  from  Jacob  Cochran,  a 
man  who  had  separated  himself  from  all  sects  and  every 
body  else.  He  had  been  at  South  Berwick,  and  had  left 
several  of  his  speakers.  Some  of  the  church  under  my 
care  had  joined  him,  to  the  wounding  of  the  body.  I 
tried  to  talk  with  them,  but  it  was  all  in  vain,  for  I  was 
considered  by  them  in  the  dark. 

A  division  had  been  in  the  minds  of  several  women  for 
sometime,  who  thought  they  must  be  leaders,  but  never 
developed  itself  until  Cochran  came.  But  the  Lord  will 
always  remember  Zion. 

Returned  to  Kittery,  and  found  a  worthy  sister  dead, 
a  sudden  and  solemn  event:  the  wife  of  Maj.  Mark  Den- 
net,  one  of  our  first  citizens.  He  was  in  the  General 
Court,  and  arrived  home  but  seven  hours  before  his  wife 
died.  Truly,  how  frail  is  life.  On  the  13th,  started  on 
another  journey.  Visited  South  Berwick  ;  preached  at 
Farmington,  then  at  Barrington,  where  the  Lord  had  done 
great  things.  About  one  hundred  and  fifty  had  been 
converted  in  a  short  time.     Went  to  Barnstead,  where  a 

series  of  meetings  were  held  by  J.  Boody,  J.  Knowles,  W. 
11* 


126  LIFE    OF   ELDER   MARK    FERNALD. 

Blaisdell,  and  M.  Fernald.  Thence  to  Gilmanton,  and 
from  thence  to  Meredith.  At  the  Bridge,  I  found  brother 
Peter  Young,  and  a  reformation.  On  the  23d,  -went  to 
Gilford,  crossed  the  Winnipiseogee  to  Tuftonhorough,  and 
from  thence  to  Wolf  borough.  Found  the  branch  of  God's 
Zion  there  had  had  no  meeting  for  three  months.  Oh ! 
the  need  of  faithful  brethren,  and  faithful  laborers.  Vis- 
ited Brookfield. 

March  2d,  rode  to  Tuftonborough.  Again  visited  Mer- 
edith; preached  in  different  parts  of  the  town.  A  refor- 
mation was  going  on,  but  I  perceived  it  was  in  some  meas- 
ure checked,  I  feared,  by  some  who  were  not  in  the  w^ork. 
Injury  is  often  done  bj  ordering  differently  from  the  way 
of  the  Spirit  on  the  enquirer's  mind,  either  by  formality  or 
over-driving. 

On  March  9th,  thirty-five  years  of  my  frail  life  ended.  I 
had  very  serious  reflections.  I  wanted  to  do  the  best  I  could, 
and  all  I  could,  for  the  cause  of  God,  and  have  a  clear  mind 
before.  God  and  man.  At  Gilford,  pride  and  w^orldly 
popularity  had  a  searching  message,  both  in  myself  and 
others,  while  the  cross  of  Christ  was  held  forth.  On  the 
15th,  a  large  collection  of  people  were  together,  though 
the  roads  were  bad;  and  among  the  number,  were  two  men 
from  Canterbury,  or  Loudon,  called  Osgoodites,  from  J. 
Osgood,  of  Warner,  New  Hampshire.  They  held  that,  as 
•some  men's  sins  were  to  go  to  judgment  beforehand,  they 
were  to  confess  to  the  saints,  who  they  said  could  forgive 
them.  Also,  that  they  were  baptized  by  the  Holy  Ghost, 
and  could  heal  the  sick,  and  work  miracles.  They  w^anted 
me  to  join  them,  and  said  I  should  be  brought  into  the 
liberty  ;  this  was  soon  decided,  for  I  told  them  it  would  be 


LIFE    OF   ELDER   MARK    FERNALD.  12.7 

next  to  blasphemy  for  me  to  pronounce  forgiveness  of  sins 
to  any  man,  and  I  had  rather  pay  a  quarter  of  a  dollar 
to  a  Roman  priest  or  pope,  than  turn  pope  myself.  At 
the  evening  meeting,  we  had  a  good  beginning,  but  a 
bad  close,  for  we  had  railing  under  the  name  of  gospel 
truth. 

I  was  styled  a  very  odd  man,  and  have  always  been 
called  so  ;  and  I  wished  to  be  scripturally  odd ;  not  ignor- 
antly  and  unreasonably  so.  Good  Lord,  deliver  Zion  from 
the  many  wild  notions  in  the  world  about  religion. 

If  I  should  see  a  white  creature,  supposed  to  be  a  lamb, 
going  through  a  field  of  clover,  in  search  of  a  bone,  and 
when  he  found  one,  he  should  paw  and  growl  over  it,  I 
should  mistrust  he  had  upper-fore  teeth,  and  was  a  dog ; 
so  when  I  see  a  professor  of  religion  in  the  field  where 
there  is  gospel  truth,  searching  for  the  failings  of  others, 
and  if  by  chance  he  finds  one,  and  talks  much  about  it,  I 
mistrust  he  is  not  a  lamb  of  the  fold,  but  a  child  of  the 
Devil.  Oh  the  24th,  returned  to  Kittery.  On  the  29th, 
John  Simpson,  William  D.  Moulton,  and  a  young  man  by 
the  name  of  Savage,  all  of  York,  were  upset  in  the  harbor, 
about  half  a  mile  from  my  home.  A  man  was  near,  and 
the  young  man  succeeded  in  getting  into  his  boat ;  but 
the  man  was  so  drunk  he  could  not  assist  them,  and  the 
other  two  men  were  drowned,  leaving  wives  and  children. 
Had  it  not  been  for  rum  they  both  could  have  been  saved,  if 
he  had  done  his  duty.  0  !  the  curse  of  alcohol.  How 
important  to  be  always  ready. 

In  April,  my  health  rather  failed  for  a  season,  and  I 
felt  it  was  hard  work  to  do  nothing.  I  preached,  and  vis- 
ited some,  in  York  and  Portsmouth,  as  well  as  in  Kittery. 


128  LIFE   OF   ELDER,   MARK   FERNALD. 

Tried  to  prevent  a  professor  of  religion  selling  the  Devil's 
family  medicines — ardent  spirits. 

May  8tli,  brother  M.  Howe  and  myself  went  to  Ames- 
bury,  Massachusetts.  Thence  to  Haverhill,  and  on  the 
12th  to  Methuen.  Brother  Howe  returned  to  Portsmouth, 
and  I  proceeded  to  Salem,  where  I  met  D.  Swett,  and 
A.  Foster.  On  the  17th,  brother  A.  Jones  arrived, 
which  greatly  cheered  my  heart.  Also,  brother  S.  Rand 
came  to  our  help.  Preached  in  various  towns,  and  the 
Lord  gave  testimony  to  the  word  of  his  grace.  At  one 
place  the  clergyman  took  notes  of  my  sermon,  but  I 
thought  he  would  get  but  little  good,  until  he  broke  off 
from  ru?n.  In  Rye  and  Portsmouth  the  good  work  of 
reformation  was  going  on,  under  the  labors  of  brother 
Howe.     I  joined  in  several  meetings  with  him. 

In  June,  I  took  another  tour,  visiting  those  places  where 
I  had  been  preaching  the  word.  I  found  some  had  gone 
to  rest,  some  were  sick,  and  some  serving  the  Lord.  In 
those  days,  we  rarely  had  a  meeting  when  the  brethren 
and  sisters  did  not  exhort  and  pray,  and  often  we  had  ex- 
h  ortation  and  prayer  both  from  them  ;  while  we  rarely  had 
a  meeting  when  sinners  were  not  wounded,  and  led  to  the 
cross.  Proceeded  on  to  Sandwich,  New  Hampshire,  and 
met  with  the  Free-will  Baptists  in  their  yearly  meeting. 
Had  some  refreshing  reports.  Preached  and  visited  from 
town  to  town,  and  returned  home  on  the  19th.  Saw  some 
of  the  glory  of  God  in  our  midst,  though  some  were  tor- 
inented  with  the  truth.  I  still  found  the  impossibihty  of 
pleasing  Christ  and  the  enemies  of  His  cross;  for  the  straight- 
er  I  drew  the  line  of  Christ's  rule  for  Christians,  the  more 
worldly-minded  professors  and  the  wicked  would  oppose 


LIFE   OF   ELDER   MARK    FERNALD.  129 

But  I  concluded  to  preach  truth  and  Hve  by  it,  and  leave 
my  opposers  to  meet  me  before  the  Judge  of  all  the  earth. 

July  1st.  Went  to  South  Berwick,  and  revived  the 
monthly  conference.  I  found  that  a  church  could  not 
prosper  without  regular  or  stated  meetings,  beside  Sun- 
days; and  a  monthly  meeting  for  the  whole  church  to 
come  together,  and  every  one  to  speak  freely,  I  always 
found  to  be  the  life  of  the  church.  I  found  that  several 
of  the  church,  though  they  had  not  withdrawn  their  names, 
had  gone  out  from  us,  and  become  the  followers  of  Jacob 
Cochran.  And,  although  Elder  Ephraim  Stinchfield  had 
published  his  conduct,  and  although  at  a  judicial  trial  the 
jury  had  rendered  a  verdict  of  "  guilty''*  against  him,  of 
a  crime  that  would  have  sent  him  to  state's  prison,  and  al- 
though while  his  trial  was  going  on,  he  had  run  away, 
leaving  two  of  his  brethren  to  pay  a  bond  of  $1800,  yet 
they  w^ould  not  be  won  back,  but  still  adhered  to  him.  But 
I  tried  to  discharge  my  duty. 

On  the  4th,  which  was  the  anniversary  of  American  In- 
dependence, a  large  collection  of  people  from  various 
tow^ns  assembled,  and  truly  the  Lord  was  with  us.  In  the 
evening,  I  preached  at  a  place  called  Tatnic.  On  the 
5th,  preached  at  Wells,  where  the  Cochran  delusion  had 
some  influence,  but  was  dying  out.  6th,  preached  at 
Cape  Neddock,  (York.)  There  was  quite  a  reformation 
there.  Brother  S.  A.  advised  the  people  not  to  attend 
my  meeting,  as  it  was  at  a  house  where  he  did  not  feel 
free  to  go.  He  was  a  very  singular  man,  and  having  very 
singular  exercises,  I  felt  grieved  that  he  should  lead  the 
converts  to  do  as  he  did.  7th,  visited  in  the  neighborhood 
of  the  Factory,  at  York,  and  preached  at  4  o'clock.     A 


130  LIFE    OP   ELDER   MARK    FERNALD. 

reformation  was  in  progress  there.  13th,  preached  and 
baptized  at  York. 

On  the  15th,  I  started  on  a  journey  East.  On  the 
23rd,  preached  at  Porthmd.  Jesus  helped  me  preach  the 
wav  of  the  cross,  and  Elias  Smith  heard  me.  Had  some 
conversation  with  him,  but  he  appeared  bhnd  to  his  former 
experience.  After  visiting  several  towns,  I  returned 
home,  and  felt  thankful  that  I  had  been  preserved  through 
a  contentious  season,  both  in  meeting  E.  S.  and  among  a 
new  sort  of  rehgious  people  whose  exercises  were  seduc- 
tive and  leading  to  carnalitj.  I  felt  I  needed  a  fourfold 
share  of  grace. 

August.  The  Lord  revived  his  work  in  York.  On  the 
4th,  I  spoke  at  the  Neck,  so  called.  Party  spirit  seemed 
to  hinder  the  work.  I  felt  tried  and  cast  down  in  my 
mind,  while  I  thought  on  the  care  of  so  many  churches, 
and  none  to  help  me.  Gospel  preaching  was  scarce, 
iniquity  abounding,  and  spiritual  delusion  prevailing.  I 
was  much  worn  down,  and  thought  I  would  remain  at  home 
and  recruit,  but  my  mind  or  Christ's  Spirit  said,  go  to 
Berwick,  and  I  said  1  wont  go  for  the  people,  but  I  will 
go  for  the  Lord,  live  or  die.  I  Vt^ent,  and  the  glory  of  God 
was  revealed.  A  line  was  drawn  between  the  pure  King- 
dom and  defiled  Babylon.  In  returnino;  home  I  be2;an  to 
reflect :  why  must  I  labor,  and  journey,  in  heat  or  cold, 
snow  or  rain,  night  and  day,  well  or  ill,  while  others  can 
retire  and  rest,  and  take  their  ease  at  home  ?  Something 
said,  Boast  not  of  tomorrow,  but  endure  affliction  ;  do  the 
work  of  an  evangelist,  and  make  full  proof  of  thy  ministry. 
I  must  go,  trusting  in  the  Lord,  turning  my  eyes  from 
others'    engagements,  and   seek  my   fellow  men's   good. 


LIFE   OF   ELDER   MARK    FERNALD.  131 

Soon  I  am  done  forever,  and  must  appear  before  my  Judge. 

I  must  be  called  odd,  proud,  boaster,  and  opposed  to 
the  power  of  God,  by  some  religionists,  but  soon  all  will 
know  what  is  God's  power  and  what  is  man's  zeal  ;  who  is 
proud  and  who  is  Christ's  servant.     Jesus,  help  me. 

On  the  0th,  preached  and  baptized  at  York.  Had  a 
solemn  time,  but  injury  was  done  by  a  brother  who  under- 
took to  drive  Universalism  by  what  I  called  railing.  0, 
the  need  of  wisdom  dwelling  with  prudence,  to  draw  and 
not  to  drive. 

I  felt  if  Christians  would  abide  in  His  holy  hill,  they 
must  walk  straight.  Had  serious  thoughts  about  those  who 
thought  they  were  going  to  heaven  and  yet  lived  like  the 
vain  world,  and  ministers  who  were  stupid  and  formal 
without  the  power  of  Christ  in  their  souls,  and  yet  say  they 
preach  the  gospel.  Lord,  undeceive  them,  and  let  their 
hearers  escape  the  deception.  Visited  Sahsbury,  Methu- 
en,  Haverhill  and  adjacent  towns.  During  this  month 
saw  much  of  God's  power  in  the  convicting  and  conver- 
sion of  souls.  Saw  one  man  dying,  who  had  lived  a  life 
of  sin  and  opposition  to  religion,  but  his  distress,  solemn 
warning,  and  invocations  were  enough  to  awaken  every 
sinner.  Destruction,  destruction  to  the  workers  of  iniquity. 
Lord,  help  me  to  warn  mortals  to  escape  hell. 

September.  Preached  on  the  1st  at  Hampton  ;  2d  and 
3d  at  Portsmouth.  Saw  some  of  the  power  of  God  dis- 
played through  the  influence  of  truth,  and  I  sang. 

Now  the  truth  is  gaining  ground, 

By  its  testimony  ; 
Weighty  testimony  sounds 

Sveeter  than  the  honey. 
Humble  soulb  begin  to  see, 


132  LIFE   OF   ELDER  MARK    FERNALD. 

In  the  heavenly  mystery  ; 
And  they  hold  and  preach,  and  sing 

Christ  the  great  salvation  ; 
Let  the  testimony  ring 

Through  the  whole  creation. 

I  journeyed  the  latter  part  of  this  month  in  New  Hamp- 
shire and  Massachusetts. 

On  the  1st  day  of  October,  I  was  at  Salem,  Massachu- 
setts. On  the  3d,  preached  and  baptized.  Met  with 
brother  Simon  Clough  there.  My  brethren  and  friends  at 
Kitterj,  and  elsewhere,  in  consideration  of  mj  constant 
labor  and  much  travel,  thought  it  proper  to  assist  in  the 
purchase  of  a  chaise,  and  it  being  finished,  I  took  it  on 
the  5th,  with  much  gratitude,  wishing  it  might  be  one 
means  of  lengthening  my  life,  to  preach.  On  returning 
to  Kittery,  I  preached  in  several  of  the  intermediate 
towns.  Preached  in  Kittery,  York  and  Portsmouth,  sev- 
eral times,  and  on  the  27th  met  with  several  preachers 
and  brethren  of  the  people,  called  "  Christians,"  at  Ports- 
mouth, who  assembled  in  conference,  for  the  purpose  of 
consulting  on  the  best  means  to  assist  the  churches,  and 
preserve  union,  and  to  convince  each  other  of  the  need  of 
more  Christian  union  and  fellowship  with  all  Christians. 
The  conference  continued  until  the  first  day  of  November. 
Many  people  attended  at  our  public  meetings.  On  the 
31st,  which  was  Lord's  day,  many  of  the  preachers  went 
out  to  different  towns,  in  the  vicinity.  Brother  Ebenezer 
Knowlton,  of  Pittsfield,  New  Hampshire,  accompanied  me 
to  Kittery. 

November  4th,  I  started  on  a  journey  to  preach  the 
"  word  of  this  salvation,"  wherever  doors  might  open.  On 
the  6th,  met  in  the  yearly  meeting  of  the  Free-will  Bap- 


LIFE    OF   ELDER  MARK    FERNALD.  133 

tist  Society  at  Gorham,  and  on  the  7th,  there  being  many 
people,  brethren  J.  Buzzell,  and  J.  Foster  preached  at 
the  town  house,  and  I  preached  at  the  meeting-house ; 
both  houses  were  w^ell  filled.  The  meetings  were  good, 
and  we  had  no  contention  about  it.  At  evening  several 
preachers  improved.  From  this  day's  labor,  a  reformation 
commenced.  On  the  8th,  I  preached  at  Scarborough,  to 
an  uncommonly  large  assembly.  The  Lord  helped  in- 
deed, and  I  enjoyed  such  a  season  as  I  had  not  for 
months  before.  However,  I  was  bound  to  love  and  leave 
the  people.  The  roads  were  extremely  bad  for  the  season, 
and  on  the  9th,  it  snowed,  and  it  was  an  extremely  dark 
day ;  but  though  it  was  black  instead  of  dark,  at  evening, 
a  goodly  number  assembled  at  Portland,  to  whom  I  spoke. 
After  preaching  at  several  places  in  the  region  of  Port- 
land, I  started  for  the  interior  of  New  Hampshire,  although 
the  traveling  was  bad.  On  the  17th,  preached  at  Limer- 
ick. Many  came  to  hear  the  word,  and  I  think  remem- 
bered it.  On  the  18th,  rode  to  Ossipee  ;  got  dinner  after 
dark,  and  then  preached  to  a  large  company  of  people. 
Jesus  helped  me,  I  know,  and  the  people  believed  it.  The 
meeting  closed  late,  but  with  much  love.  Preached  in 
the  several  towns  in  these  regions  where  I  had  before  la- 
bored, and  returned  to  Kittery  on  the  first  day  of  Decem- 
ber. On  the  10th,  when  about  going  to  an  appointment 
at  York,  a  vessel  in  the  harbor  gave  a  signal  of  distress. 
Three  others  with  myself  went  to  her  assistance,  and  by 
this  means  I  failed  to  meet  my  appointment,  which  was 
the  first  pubhc  appointment  of  my  own  that  I  ever  failed 
of  fulfiling.     But  I  did  my  duty.     During  the  month  I 

preached  as  usual,  holding  meetings  in  Kittery,  York, 
12 


134  LIFE    OF   ELDER  MARK   FERNALD. 

Wells,  and  Portsmouth,  some  of  which  were  profitable  ;  but 
as  the  year  closed,  I  felt,  that  notwithstanding  my  good 
resolution  at  the  beginning  of  the  year — to  serve  the  Lord, 
I  had  been  an  unprofitable  servant.  When  shall  I  be  more 
holy  ?     Life  is  a  stream. 


LIFE   OF  ELDER  MARK   FERNALD.  135 


CHAPTER  XII. 

TOUR   INTO   MASSACHUSETTS — BAPTIZES  A  CRIPPLE  AT  NEW 
CASTLE,     NEW    HAMPSHIRE — TOUR    EAST — CONFERENCE 

AT   CORNVILLE,   MAINE — MEETS    WITH   LORENZO    DOW 

CONFERENCE  AT  ALLENSTOWN,  NEW  HAMPSHIRE — TOUR 
SOUTH — MEETS  WITH  DANIEL  HIX — CONFERENCE  AT 
WINDHAM,     CONNECTICUT — PISCATAQUA     RIVER    FROZEN 

OVER TOUR     NORTH — MEETING     AT     ANDOVER,     NEW 

HAMPSHIRE JESSE  THOMPSON  ORDAINED CONFER- 
ENCE AT  NEW  BEDFORD — CHARLES  MORGRIDGE  OR- 
DAINED— MEETING  AT  WESTERLY,  RHODE  ISLAND — A 
SEVERE  SICKNESS — CLOSES  EIGHTEEN  HUNDRED  AND 
TWENTY-ONE. 

1820.  January.  I  feared  my  own  heart  more  than 
other  foes.  On  the  4th,  was  much  revived  and  comforted 
by  a  letter  from  Wells,  stating  that  the  eflfect  of  my  last 
visit  at  that  place  was  the  commencement  of  a  good  refor- 
mation. On  the  5th,  started  on  another  tour.  Rode  to 
Middleton,  thence  to  Wolf  borough,  Brookfield,  and  Tuf- 
tonborough,  preaching  as  I  went,  in  some  places  once,  and 
in  some  places  more  than  once.  Found  a  revival  in  one 
district  in  Tuftonborough,  as  the  result  of  my  last  visit 
there.  At  another  district,  however,  truth  found  many  of 
us  where  we  ought  not  to  have  been,  and  we  saw  the  need  of 


136  LIFE   OP  ELDER  MARK   PERNALD. 

living  where  the  truth  will  not  condemn  us.  Proceeded 
to  Meredith,  and  was  joyfully  received  ;  and  on  the  15th, 
I  met  the  people,  brother  Cheney  and  the  Lord  with  them. 
On  the  16th,  preached  also,  and  Jesus  gave  testimony, 
though  through  such  a  w^orm  as  myself.  19th,  visited 
Barnstead,  where  the  Free-will  Baptist  quarterly  meeting 
was  in  session.  That  day,  as  well  as  many  other  days,  I 
had  great  casting  down  in  my  mind  ;  was  too  much  unre- 
conciled to  the  cross-bearing  way  of  Christ,  and  wondered 
why  I  could  not  live  as  many  others  did,  who  conformed 
to  the  world  and  yet  aj^peared  happy.  But  I  said,  hush  ! 
They  are  not  my  pattern.     I  must  look  unto  Jesus. 

By  request,  I  attended  the  conference  in  connection 
with  the  quarterly  meeting  ;  some  young  speakers  related 
their  evidence  of  being  called  to  preach.  On  the  22d, 
accompanied  brother  Ebenezer  Knowlton  to  Pittsfield,  and 
preached  to  the  people  there.  On  the  23d,  while  speak- 
ing, I  was  stopped  by  a  messenger  announcing  that  my 
well  beloved  brother  J.  Y.  Burgin,  of  Portsmouth,  New 
Hampshire,  was  dead,  and  to  be  buried  on  the  following  day, 
at  2  o'clock,  P.  M.  That  was  heavy  news  to  me,  as  I 
scarcely  knew  the  man  on  earth  I  loved  and  prized  as  I 
did  him.  I  finished  my  discourse,  which  was  lengthy,  and 
I  think  not  lost ;  at  sunset  left  Pittsfield,  arrived  at  Dur- 
ham at  9  o'clock  in  the  evening,  and  at  Portsmouth  the 
next  morning.  Four  preachers  and  much  people  Avere  in 
attendance  at  his  burial,  to  pay  their  tribute  of  respect  to 
a  godly,  upright  saint. 

Joseph,  a  man  of  earthy 
Yel  knew  the  heavenly  birth  ; 
A  magistrate  of  wonh, 
And  deacon,  sound  in  trulh; 


LIFE   OF  ELDER  MARK    FERNALD.  137 

A  Christian  strong  in  faith, 
Now  lies  in  earth  beneath, 
In  heaven  he  will  rest 
With  his  beloved  Christ. 

In  the  evening  I  spoke  from  2  Timothy  iv  :  7,  8.  On 
the  30th,  a  general  meeting  commenced  in  Portsmouth, 
but  the  weather  was  such,  that  the  meeting  was  not  so  well 
attended  by  brethren  from  abroad,  as  usual ;  yet  it  was  a 
good  season. 

February.  Some  circumstances  occurred  to  prove  that 
my  cross-bearing  testimony,  which  had  been  much  opposed, 
was  Christ's  rule,  and  it  gained  ground.  That  gave  me 
some  reward  for  my  labor. 

I  labored  with  some  whohadjoinedavain  dancing  party, 
and  for  other  light  conduct  contrary  to  the  word  of  Christ ; 
and  as  they  would  not  remove  their  stumbling  blocks  of 
iniquity,  we  removed  them  from  the  church.  Visited  and 
preached  in  several  towns  around  Kittery,  and  attended 
upon  the  sick,  until  the  23d.  The  knowledge  of  God's 
vegetable  medicine  enabled  me  to  give  relief  to  many  suf- 
fering bodies.  By  earnest  solicitation,  I  visited  the  church 
at  Portland.  I  labored  with  the  church  in  that  place,  vis- 
iting a  few  of  the  neighboring  towns,  until  the  6th  of 
March.  Could  not  always  tell  when  my  preaching  did 
good,  and  when  my  labors  were  efficient. 

Returned  to  Kittery,  and  on  the  9th,  went  to  Ports- 
mouth ;  but  it  being  stormy,  had  no  meeting,  and  I  was 
not  much  sorry.  Thirty-six  years  of  my  life  were  gone, 
and  I  felt  dull.  Why  I  felt  so,  I  could  not  tell.  I  la- 
bored to  obey  the  gospel  in  all  things.  Traveled  day  and 
night  in  storm  and  calm,  visited  sick  and  well,  and  admin- 
istered to  both  soul  and  body.  I  queried,  who  are  they 
12* 


13^  LIFE   OF   ELDER  MAEK    FERNALD. 

and  how  do  they  feel  who  say  they  fulfil  all  the  will  of 
Heaven  ?  I  feared  they  made  a  mistake,  and  I  could  but 
say,  Lord  pity  them,  and  my  soul  and  body  too,  and  keep 
me  safe  to  thy  kingdom  of  glory.  I  hope  to  overcome, 
and  see  my  foes  converted.  I  labored  both  with  head  and 
hands  a  part  of  the  time.  Before  the  month  closed,  saw 
some  of  God's  glory  in  beginning  a  revival. 

I  had  felt  sunken  very  much  in  my  mind,  to  see  the  low 
state  of  Zion ;  her  sons  slain,  and  her  daughters  carried 
captive  into  the  spirit  and  customs  of  the  world ;  but  as 
April  commenced,  a  good  work  of  revival  was  witnessed, 
and  on  the  9th,  I  had  the  privilege  of  baptizing  one  convert. 

On  the  6th,  was  the  State  Fast.  A  man  who  would  not 
obey  his  profession,  or  the  governor's  proclamation,  but 
attended  to  his  own  business,  was  taken  sick  the  day  fol- 
lowing, and  died  in  two  days.  Those  who  have  no  time  to 
obey  God,  must  find  time  to  die. 

On  the  25th,  rode  to  Salisbury ;  26th,  to  Newton,  and 
in  the  evening  went  to  Haverhill,  and  met  F.  Clark  in  his 
meeting,  which  was  too  dull  and  formal.  Preached  from 
place  to  place  until  I  reached  Salem,  when  I  was  taken 
sick  ;  but  having  medicine  with  me,  I  attacked  my  com- 
plaint, and  in  two  days,  conquered  it.  Having  but  a  little 
time  to  stay  in  Salem,  much  people  came  to  the  house  of 
my  stay,  to  whom  I  preached. 

May  1st,  I  rode  to  Haverhill.  Had  a  good  season  in 
Haverhill,  and  in  Salisbury.  The  Lord  was  operating  on 
the  minds  of  the  people.  Preached  from  town  to  town, 
until  I  reached  home.  On  the  11th,  at  New  Castle,  a 
woman,  who  had  been  lame  nineteen  years,  and  was  so 
helpless  that  she  had  lost  the  use  of  her  tongue,  and  was 


LIFE   OF  ELDER  MARK   FERNALD.  139 

only  able  to  relate  the  exercises  of  her  mind  by  hymns  and 
passages  of  Scripture,  requested  baptism.  Accordingly, 
two  brethren  carried  her  to  the  water,  and  I  baptized  her. 
This  ordinance  gave  her  much  strength  of  mind,  while  it 
was  a  scene  of  thrilling  interest  to  those  who  beheld  it. 
On  the  13th,  attended  the  burial  of  the  wife  of  my  highly 
esteemed  brother,  John  Rogers.  23d,  went  to  Farming- 
ton,  N.  H.  24th,  was  requested  to  go  with  brother  John 
L.  Peavey,  to  New  York.  I  concluded  I  had  enough  to 
do  in  New  England  at  that  time.  26th,  had  the  hardest 
snow  storm  I  had  ever  known  at  that  season. 
^'  On  the  27th,  I  organized  a  church  at  Tuftonborough, 
consisting  of  eighteen  members,  who  took  Christ  as  their 
head,  and  his  testimony  in  the  Scriptures  as  their  law.  I 
was  frequently  called  on  to  visit  the  sick,  as  a  physician, 
and  because  I  helped  some,  many  called  me  who  had  in- 
curable diseases,  thinking  I  could  do  what  I  could  not 
perform. 

June  1st :  returned  to  Kittery ;  from  thence  to  York, 
and  baptized  two  converts.  On  the  7th,  baptized  again 
at  York.  8th,  preached  and  baptized  at  Wells.  9th, 
preached  at  Portland.  Met  Elder  WilHam  Ashley,  of 
Georgia,  there.  After  preaching  in  several  towns  around 
Portland,  crossed  the  Androscoggin  river,  and  preached  in 
Lewiston.  Thence  to  Green,  Monmouth,  Winthrop,  Reed- 
field,  Belgrade,  and  Waterville.  Had  some  freedom,  but 
did  not  feel  at  home.  The  love  of  money  seemed  to  be 
rooted  and  growing  in  evil.  Proceeded  to  Fairfield,  and 
crossed  the  Kennebec  river  to  Clinton,  and  thence  to 
Canaan,  and  met  with  Elder  Joseph  Merrill.     After  shar- 


140  LIFE   OF   ELDER  MARK   FERNALD. 

ing  the  hospitality  of  his  house,  he  accompanied  me  in 
journeying  farther. 

As  I  entered  Canaan,  I  could  but  hope,  that  I  should 
through  Heaven's  tender  mercy  enter  the  Canaan  of 
eternal  glory  beyond  sorrow. 

On  the  17th,  went  to  Cornville,  to  attend  a  general 
meeting  and  conference.  Ten  preachers  were  present, 
who  were  considered  members  of  the  conference,  and  sev- 
enteen churches  were  represented.  As  the  people  knew 
but  little  of  the  order  of  Christians,  who  called  themselves 
"  Christians,"  to  the  exclusion  of  all  party  names,  I  found 
enough  to  do  to  cut  off  occasion  of  our  "  good  being  evil 
spoken  of,"  and  to  detect  imposition.  On  the  20th,  went 
to  the  Sebasticook,  and  stopped  at  an  inn.  On  the  21st, 
preached  at  Fairfax,  to  an  oppressed  and  tried  company 
of  brethren,  who  were  troubled  with  some  who  said  they 
were  of  us  and  yet  not  with  us.  I  read  to  the  people  the 
names  of  every  preacher  in  the  State  who  was  acknowl- 
edged OF  lis.  Went  to  Montville,  and  preached  several 
times.  Met  there  with  brother  Marble,  of  the  Baptist 
denomination.  I  visited  that  place  in  company  with  brother 
John  True,  who  was  laboring  in  mind  about  his  duty  to 
preach.  Parted  with  deacon  True  and  family,  who  were 
friends  in  deed  as  well  as  word,  and  went  to  Searsmont, 
Belmont,  and  Belfast.  Finding  a  hard  people,  and  only 
a  few  willing  to  hear,  I  passed  on  to  Lincolnville  or  Duck- 
trap,  where  I  had  a  trying  time,  though  I  was  kindly 
received,  and  had  good  liberty  in  speaking.  Rode  to 
Camden,  and  there  I  felt  at  home.  Had  a  good  season. 
Then   proceeded   to   Thomaston,   Waldoborough,  Noble- 


LIFE   OF  ELDER  MARK    FERNALD.  141 

borough,  and  Wiscasset.     Left  my  horse  at  Wiscasset,  at 
a  tavern. 

July  1st,  visited  Edgecomb,  and  had  a  weeping  season 
there.  Had  to  pay  twenty-five  cents  for  four  quarts  of 
corn  for  my  horse,  when  corn  was  67  cents  per  bushel. 
However,  let  us  love  every  body  and  hate  extortion.  On  the 
2d,  preached  at  Woolwich.  Here  the  church  was  in  a 
great  trial.  A  man  who  had  been  as  a  father  to  the 
converts,  had  unlawfully  become  a  natural  father,  and 
absconded  ;  but  that  did  not  destroy  the  reality  of  religion. 
Counterfeit  coin  only  proves  the  genuine.  Judith  Pres- 
cott,  of  Deerfield,  New  Hampshire,  was  laboring  at  Wis- 
cassett.  On  the  3d,  I  preached  at  Bath  with  the  Baptist 
brethren.  Had  a  blessed  season  at  the  monthly  prayer 
meeting  for  missions.  After  visiting  Brunswick,  Topsham, 
Bowdoinham,  Bowdoin  and  Litchfield,  where  I  think  some 
good  was  done,  I  proceeded  to  Monmouth  and  preached 
three  times  there  on  the  9th.  I  spoke  about  six 
hours  in  all ;  saw  many  weep  whom  I  trust  will  rejoice  in 
another  world.  On  the  10th,  I  preached  at  Lewiston,  and 
found  some  of  the  same  hearers  that  I  had  at  Monmouth 
the  day  before,  who  had  traveled  fifteen  miles  to  hear  me 
again.  At  Gray  I  was  informed  of  an  instance  of  the  efiects 
of  rum.  A  poor  man,  for  a  glass  of  rum,  disturbed  a  hive 
of  bees,  which  stung  him  so  badly  that  he  crawled  into 
a  barn  and  died  the  next  day,  unnoticed  and  uncared  for. 
I  preached  from  place  to  place  for  several  days.  On  the 
17th,  baptized  at  Gorham,  and  on  the  18th,  took  brother 
Clement  Phinney  in  company  and  started  for  Kittery, 
preaching  by  the  way. 

Preached  and  visited  the  well,  the  sick  and  the  lame  in 


142  LIFE   OF  ELDER  MARK    FERNALD. 

York,  Kitterj  and  Portsmouth  until  the  close  of  the  month. 

August  4th,  rode  to  New  Durham  Gore  ;  5th,  to  Wolf- 
borough  ;  6th,  to  Tuftonborough.  On  the  8th,  I  preached 
in  Ossipee.  Had  an  awakening  time  ;  several  manifested 
their  desire  for  Christians'  prayers,  and  covenanted  to  seek 
the  Lord.  At  Wolf  borough,  two  deaths  by  lightning  had 
occurred,  which  greatly  moved  the  people.  Baptized  at 
Wolf  borough  on  the  9th.  On  the  10th,  I  preached  in 
Alton;  11th,  at  Farmington;  12th  and  13th,  at  South 
Berwick.  On  the  15th,  I  visited  Portsmouth  and  Green- 
land, and  heard  Lorenzo  Dow  preach.  On  the  14th  and 
20th,  baptized  at  Kittery. 

On  the  21st,  I  started  on  a  journey.  Attended  a 
general  meeting  and  conference  at  AUenstown.  Some 
thought  I  was  too  pointed  and  plain  in  my  testimony,  for 
I  hit  the  object  I  aimed  at.  The  Lord  revived  His  work, 
though  satan  raged.  Visited  Pittsfield,  and  thence  to 
Wolf  borough,  when  the  summer  ended.  The  earth  was 
extremely  parched  and  water  scarce,  but  Zion*s  fountain 
"was  full  of  water. 

September.  The  Lord  revived  His  work  in  Wolf  bor- 
ough, and  on  the  2d,  I  baptized.  Preached  at  Farming- 
ton,  Rochester  and  Somersworth,  where  the  Lord  revealed 
His  power.  On  the  7th,  preached  and  baptized  at  South 
Berwick.  On  the  8th,  returned  to  Kittery,  and  found  the 
Lord  was  still  in  the  place.  Improved  my  time  as  well  as 
I  knew  how,  in  preaching  and  visiting,  attending  to  the 
sick  and  mingling  with  the  afflicted,  through  the  remainder 
of  the  month,  in  my  usual  places  of  labor ;  saw  some  of 
God's  power  manifested  and  heard  sinners  cry  for  mercy. 
I  could  but  think  on  the  neglect  of  many  to  improve  their 


LIFE   OF   ELDER   MARK   FERNALD.  143 

privileges  when  the  servants  of  God  undergo  so  much  for 
them,  scarcely  receiving  the  common  comforts  of  life. 
Often,  in  mj  visits,  I  found  those  who  were  near  death  and 
unprepared.  0  !  the  importance  of  getting  ready  for 
death  and  judgment  while  in  youth  and  health. 

October  10th,  started  on  a  journey  South.  Went  to 
Hampton  Falls  and  preached  ;  but  by  urgent  request,  on 
the  12th  I  returned  to  Portsmouth  to  preach  and  baptize. 
After  baptizing  two  pleasant  youths,  I  again  set  my  face 
South,  and  on  the  13th  went  to  Haverhill,  Massachusetts, 
and  preached,  but  w^as  unusually  shut  up  in  my  mind. 
14th,  w^ent  to  Methuen  to  visit  a  sick  friend.  Proceeded 
to  Andover,  Middleton,  Danvers  and  Salem.  Stopped 
in  Salem  a  few  days  and  saw  some  poor  backshders  weep 
and  confess.  Thence  to  Boston,  where  I  met  Elders  A. 
Jones,  S.  Clough  and  M.  Howe.  On  the  19th,  brother 
Howe  journeyed  with  me  to  Middleborough.  On  the  20th, 
went  to  New  Bedford.  There  four  hundred  had  professed 
conversion  in  one  year.  I  believe  my  preaching  was  well 
received,  although  it  was  cutting  and  crossing  to  gayety 
and  fashion.  I  wondered  that  the  converts  had  so  Httle  to 
say  to  their  mates  about  their  souls. 

Visited  Fairhaven  and  Dartmouth,  and  met  the  worthy 
Daniel  Hix,  who  had  preached  there  many  years,  and 
baptized  fourteen  hundred  persons.  I  found  him  on  his 
way  for  heaven.  On  the  22d,  met  a  company  of  mourners 
from  Middleborough,  who  had  gathered  together  to  remove 
the  remains  of  a  youth  who  was  a  scholar  at  Assonett,  and 
had  died  suddenly.  It  was  indeed  a  solemn  and  sorrow- 
ful season.  How  uncertain  is  life;  and  how  important 
that  all  would  "  remember  their  Creator  in  the  days  of 


144  LII^l!    of   ELDER   MARK  FERNALD. 

their  youth."  24th,  went  to  Fall  Eiver,  and  preached. 
Thence  to  Somerset  and  Swanzey.  About  one  hundred  had 
lately  been  converted  at  Swanzey  ;  sixty  had  been  baptized. 
Fourrelated  their  experience  at  the  meeting,  after  I  had  done 
speaking.  I  found  the  converts  rather  weak  in  those  re- 
gions. They  had  good  preaching,  but  I  concluded  they 
were  too  backward  in  speaking  or  improving  in  public. 
26th,  went  to  Providence,  and  heard  Simon  Clough  preach 
in  the  Congregational  meeting-house.  27th,  went  to 
Windham,  Connecticut,  to  attend  a  general  meeting  and 
conference.  Several  preachers  collected  from  different  di- 
rections. One  came  on  from  Virginia,  viz :  Welson  Miller. 
Preached  at  Hampton. 

November  2d,  the  conference  ended ;  and  on  the  3d, 
by  particular  request,  I  visited  Sterling,  and  preached  at 
the  meeting-house,  where  I  was  shut  out  four  years  be- 
fore. In  the  evening,  preached  at  Coventry,  Rhode 
Island.  On  the  4th,  went  to  Smithfield,  where  I  met  El- 
der Joseph  White  and  C.  H.  Danforth,  who  had  labored 
very  successfully  in  that  region.  A  large  number  had 
been  converted  under  their  labors.  Thirty-nine  spoke  in 
the  conference  the  afternoon  I  arrived.  Visited  Burril- 
ville,  thence  to  Scituate.  7th,  at  Gloucester  many  were 
pricked  in  the  heart.  8th,  I  preached  at  Mendon,  and 
endeavored  to  show  the  apostles'  doctrine  and  practice. 
An  inward  salvation  and  a  godly  hfe  was  my  theme.  9th, 
rode  to  Cumberland,  and  preached  on  pure  religion.  The 
singers  undertook  to  use  instruments  of  music,  but  I  re- 
fused to  mix  my  worship  with  dumb  idols  and  ungodly 
people.  On  the  10th,  went  to  Providence  and  Swanzey, 
where  I  preached,  and  the  word  blessed  the  people,  so 


LIFE   OE   ELDER  MARK   FERNALD.  146' 

mucli  so,  that  thej  wanted  more  of  the  like..  On.  the  11th, 
hj  reason  of  snow  and  rain,  I  failed  to  meet  my  appoint- 
ments at  Fairhaven,  New  Bedford,  and  Dartmouth.  On 
the  14th,  traveled  as  far  as  Roxburj,  but  could  not  reach 
mj  appointment  at  Boston  ;  and  the  people  cast  no  reflec- 
tions in  these  instances,  as  thej  had  wisdom  enough  to 
know  the  cause.  Returned  home  on  the  25th.  Clarissa 
H.  Danforth  accompanied  me  to  &everal  places,  and  came 
on  to  Portsmouth. 

At  Salem  the  people  remembered  my  wants,  and  at 
Assonett,  New  Bedford,  and  a  few  other  places  thej  gave 
me  some  money,  but  the  people  did  not  always  do  their 
duty. 

While  in  many  places  the  cause  of  truth  was  advancing, 
in  others  the  cause  was  retarded  for  the  want  of  wisdom 
and  love,  in  laboring  with  disorderly  walkers. 

December  6th,  went  to  Wells.  In  the  afternoon  at- 
tended a  burial,  and  heard  a  preacher  describe  how  dead 
living  men  were.  In  the  evening  I  preached  that  men 
should  turn  and  Uve.  Preached  and  visited  as  usual  in 
Kittery  and  the  neighboring  towns  until  the  19th,  when  I 
commenced  a  journey  North.  Visited  and  preached  in 
many  of  those  places  where  I  was  wont  to  visit,  and  found 
that  my  previous  visit  had  not  been  in  vain.  December 
31st,  found  me  at  Meredith,  where  I  preached  on  that 
day  three  times,  the  last  time  being  at  a  tavern.  The 
year  ended,  and  I  found  I  had  traveled  about  three 
thousand  miles,  had  preached  nearly  every  day  once  or 
more,  yet  I  saw  that  more  needed  to  be  done. 

1821.     January  1st,  I  had  a  free  solemn  preach  at 

Meredith  Bridge,  and  thereby  saluted  the  new  year,  while 
13 


146  LIFE   OF   ELDER  MARK   FERXALD. 

in  the  immediate  neighborhood  about  fifty  met  for  a  ball, 
and  to  commence  the  year  in  the  service  of  the  Devil ; 
commending  themselves  to  him.  Thej  drank  and  danced, 
but  I  preached  Christ,  and  Christians  rejoiced.  Thought- 
less mortals,  dreaming  that  all  is  well,  and  pleased  with 
deception. 

The  King  of  Zion  strengthened  me  while  visiting  in  the 
hill  country,  and  I  saw  some  brought  to  Christ.  On  the 
11th,  I  returned  to  Somersworth,  and  on  the  12th,  visited 
a  man  near  death,  but  happy  in  the  Lord.  At  that  place, 
some  years  before,  a  being  called  a  man,  cut  my  horse's 
saddle  and  halter,  turning  the  horse  loose  while  I  was 
preaching,  who  a  short  time  after  died  very  suddenly,  be- 
ing sick  only  twenty-four  hours,  with  spotted  fever.  I 
thought  on  the  contrast.  The  sick  man  received  me  to 
his  house,  and  died  in  peace  ;  the  other  mocked  and  died 
in  horror.  16th,  closed  up  my  appointments,  and  I  re- 
turned home. 

On  the  25th,  the  Piscataqua  river  froze  over  to  the 
mouth,  save  the  main  channel.  This  was  the  first  time  it 
was  ever  known  to  be  so  much  frozen.  I  thought  much 
on  the  situation  of  the  sailor,  for  there  was  no  harbor  open 
for  hundreds  of  miles.  But  notwithstanding  we  had  such 
severe  weather,  the  Lord  warmed  up  the  hearts  of  his  peo- 
ple, and  sinners  felt  the  quickening  word. 

During  this  month  I  had  strong  impressions  to  visit  Old 
England.  Some  thought  I  must  go,  but  I  prayed  the 
Lord  to  let  me  labor  in  my  own  country  while  there  was 
so  much  to  be  done. 

February  1st,  the  extreme  cold  weather  ceased  and  a 
rain  followed.     The  open  weather  caused  much  sickness. 


LIFE    OF   ELDER   MARK    FERNALD.  14T 

On  the  2d,  brother  John  Boothby  visited  us,  and  preached 
the  word  of  life  at  Portsmouth.  Labored  in  church  mat- 
ters in  Portsmouth  ;  found  in  every  place  that  those  who 
walk  disorderly  are  galled  by  the  truth.  I  saw  some  good 
done,  but  not  that  breaking  away  I  wanted. 

March  1st,  I  went  to  Portland.  Found  a  revival.  After 
preaching  in  Portland  and  the  region  round  about,  I  re- 
turned to  Berwick  on  the  9th,  when  thirty-seven  years  of 
my  life  had  gone. 

I  could  but  mourn  while  useful  gifts,  through  stubborn- 
ness and  disobedience,  both  of  male  and  female,  w^ere 
withheld;  for  it  was  plain  to  my  mind,  that  the  travel  of 
the  church  Zion-ward  was  hindered.  None  can  fully  con- 
ceive of  the  damage  done  to  saints  and  sinners,  and 
preachers,  too,  if  they  are  spiritual,  through  the  disobedi- 
ence of  those  who  are  quickened  by  an  immediate  opera- 
tion of  Christ's  Spirit.  As  the  Jews  were,  so  churches  are 
scattered  through  rebelious  gifts.  Preachers  feel  the 
word  is  bound,  and  sinners  are  deprived  of  the  testimony 
which  might  be  the  means  of  leading  them  to  Jesus. 

Preached  at  Salisbury,  Amesbury  Ferry,  Seabrook, 
Hampton,  North  Hampton,  (Little  River,  so  called,)  and 
Rye.  At  Rye  I  had  one  of  my  best  meetings.  Many 
were  seeking  the  Lord,  and  my  soul  entered  the  labor. 
On  the  22d,  I  attempted  to  preach  at  Portsmouth,  but 
could  say  only  a  few  words,  but  I  thought  there  were  some 
who  wanted  short  sermons,  and  at  this  time  they  got  one. 
I  thought  much  of  leaving  Kittery ;  for  it  seemed  that 
neither  preaching  or  other  events  would  awaken  the  peo- 
ple and  bring  them  to  repentance,  although  deaths,  acci- 
dents, &c.,  had  great  effect  in  those  days.     I  visited  and 


148  LIFE   OF   ELDER  MARK    FERNALD. 

preached  as  usual,  and  had  usually  found  some  friends  and 
some  foes.  I  wondered  -why  it  was  that  some  would  fall 
at  swearing,  even  at  the  sight  of  poor  me. 

April  1st.  Preached  thrice,  and  truth  cut  its  way  as 
in  days  past  and  .in  time  of  reformation.  Saw  signs  of 
rain.  Being  unwell,  I  was  not  able  to  labor  so  much  as  in 
some  months.  At  Cape  Neddock,  (so  called)  I  felt  called 
upon  to  speak  against  the  course  pursued  by  some  under 
the  name  of  religion.  Was  refreshed  by  a  visit  from  El- 
der Moses  Cheney,  from  Meredith,  New  Hampshire. 

I  labored,  preached,  prayed,  and  visited  until  the  24th 
of  May,  when  I  started  on  a  journey  North.  At  Farm- 
ington,  New  Hampshire,  I  felt  grieved  that  the  brethren 
had  given  up  "  assembling  themselves  together."  At 
Wolfborough  I  was  much  encouraged  by  meeting  with  a 
young  man,  evidently  called  of  God  to  preach,  that  I  had 
baptized  the  year  before.  I  felt  my  labors  had  not  been 
in  vain,  but  the  Lord  was  raising  up  some  to  help  me  in 
my  labors. 

June  1st,  preached  at  Ossipee  at  8  o'clock.  Then 
went  to  Tuftonborough.  Many  felt  the  word.  Proceeded 
to  Meredith,  and  thence  to  Sanbornton,  and  preached  at 
the  Bay  meeting-house.  On  the  7th  and  8th  a  general 
meeting  was  held  at  Andover.  There  were  five  discourses 
preached  ;  and  as  I  was  a  stranger  I  gave  three  of  them. 
Brother  Jesse  Thompson  was  ordained.  The  Lord  was 
with  us. 

Went  to  Hopkinton,  and  tarried  with  Doctor  Abner 
Jones.  Thence  to  Weare  and  attended  the  Free-will 
Baptist  yearly  meeting.  Went  to  Candia,  and  on  the 
13th,  a  large  congregation  was  addressed  by  Elder  John 


LIFE    OF   ELDER  MARK   FERNALD.  149 

Buzzell,  Clarissa  H.  Danforth,  and  Mark  Fernald.  Re- 
turned home,  and  on  the  21st  preached  at  South  Berwick, 
at  the  ordination  of  brother  Jedediah  Goodwin,  which  took 
place  at  his  own  house.  Visited  a  few  churches  in  the 
South  of  New  Hampshire  and  a  few  in  Massachusetts.     ■< 

On  the  1st  of  July,  I  baptized  a  deaf  and  almost  dumb 
girl,  who  gave  good  evidence  of  true  rehgion,  and  was 
happy  in  the  love  of  it.  That  youth  was  another  evidence 
of  God's  love  to  men. 

On  the  3rd,  preached,  baptized,  and  attended  to  the 
ordinance  of  the  Lord's  Supper ;  after  which,  in  another 
part  of  the  town,  with  brother  J.  Goodwin,  organized  a 
church  ;  ordained  a  deacon,  and  they  chose  brother  Good- 
win pastor.  Proceeded  North ;  attended  many  meetings ; 
heard  the  testimony  of  many  Uving  souls.  At  Ossipee,  I 
felt  to  lift  my  voice  aloud.  The  Lord  was  with  us  indeed. 
Baptized  Valentine  Willey  and  George  Stevens.  Some- 
times in  sending  my  appointments  they  would  fall  into  the 
hands,  hearts  or  mouths  of  opposers,  who  would  change 
the  time,  thereby  causing  disappointment.  When  I  reach- 
ed home,  on  the  14th,  my  friends  informed  me  that  an 
appointment  was  made  for  me  on  the  15th,  at  Rye,  while 
I  had  sent  to  be  there  the  week  following.  I  concluded 
satan  and  I  would  try  the  race  ground ;  and,  accordingly, 
on  the  morning  of  the  15th,  I  got  two  with  me  and  rowed 
against  tide  to  Portsmouth  ;  hired  a  horse  and  chaise  there 
and  proceeded  to  Rye,  wdiere  I  arrived  in  season  to  preach 
twice  and  disappoint  the  Devil  and  not  the  people.  On 
the  18th,  visited  York  and  preached  at  Raynes'  Neck. 
My  testimony  corrected  me  oftentimes  as  well  as  others, 

but  truth  cuts  where  it  meets  its  foes.     I  felt  the  need  of 
13* 


150  LIPE    OF   ELDER  MARK    FERNALD. 

preachers  declaring  the  whole  gospel,  even  when  they 
know  it  will  make  their  hearers  look  at  them.  My  soul, 
let  me  point  sinners  the  right  road. 

The  first  of  August  I  visited  Hampton,  Newton,  Ken- 
sington and  South  Hampton,  New  Hampshire,  and  a  few 
towns  in  Massachusetts.  Returned  home  ;  saw  some  revi- 
vals ;  labored  with  the  churches,  and  on  the  20th  jour- 
neyed to  Massachusetts.  Disputing  about  preachers, 
preaching  and  worship  sometimes  divides  the  church. 
Went  to  Cumberland,  Rhode  Island,  and  attended  general 
meeting.  On  one  day  there  were  five  discourses.  I  spoke 
twice.  In  one  of  my  discourses  I  addressed  myself,  1st, 
to  Predestinarians ;  2d,  to  Universalians ;  and  3d,  to 
Arminians — speaking  of  their  duty  to  love  and  serve  God 
on  the  ground  of  their  views  of  His  love  to  them. 
Preached  from  place  to  place  until  the  session  of  the 
Christian  conference. 

September  1st,  conference  met  at  New  Bedford.  The 
meeting  continued  till  the  5th.  Meetings  w^ere  held  at 
New  Bedford  and  Fairhaven.  Charles  Morgridge  was 
ordained  at  Fairhaven,  I  think. 

On  the  7th,  at  a  meeting  at  Dartmouth,  at  the  house  of 
Elder  Daniel  Hix,  whose  house  was  always  open  to  all 
God's  people,  we  had  a  powerful  season.  One  was 
converted,  and  many  wept.  On  the  10th,  at  a  meeting  at 
Dartmouth,  a  young  woman  who  had  long  resisted  convic- 
tion, cried  out  in  despondency,  declaring  there  was  no 
mercy  for  her,  and  warning  her  mates  not  to  resist  the 
Spirit.  Satan  and  I  had  a  contention  there.  He,  through 
her,  declared  there  was  no  mercy  for  her,  and  I  declared 
there  was  ;  that  I  had  the   Spirit  and  she  had  not. 


LIFE   OF  ELDER  MARK    FERNALD.  151 

On  tlie  12th,  started  for  Westerly,  Rhode  Island,  m 
company  with  Daniel  Hix  and  Frederick  Plummer.  On 
the  loth,  we  commenced  a  meeting  at  Westerly.  The 
forenoon  was  spent  in  conference.  Brother  Robinson  C. 
Ross  related  his  experience  and  call  to  the  ministry. 
From  his  testimony,  gift,  and  well  known  upright  charac- 
ter, it  was  unanimously  agreed  to  ordain  him  ;  and  in  the 
afternoon,  after  listening  to  an  excellent  discourse  from 
Daniel  Hix,  we  set  him  apart  to  the  work  to  which  we 
believed  the  Holy  Ghost  had  called  him.  On  the  17th, 
several  of  us  were  invited  to  visit  the  brethren  in  another 
part  of  the  town,  where  they  were  in  a  scattered  condition. 
Brother  Hix  preached  to  them,  also  brother  Plummer 
preached,  after  which  I  rose  to  ease  a  burdened  mind.  I 
had  no  previous  knowledge  of  their  state,  but  I  felt  that 
the  Devil  was  among  them  in  some  shape,  destroying  their 
union  and  comfort,  and  I  told  them  so,  and  referred  it  to 
their  own  knowledge.  It  caused  some  smiles,  many  tears, 
and  great  searching  of  heart.  I  learned  afterward  that 
they  thought  I  spoke  the  word  of  the  Lord. 

The  character  of  the  people  in  that  region  was  not 
haughty,  but  famihar.  They  received  me  kindly  at  their 
houses,  filled  my  mouth  from  their  tables  and  my  purse 
from  their  pockets.  At  Charlestown  I  met  with  some  of 
the  Narraganset  Indians,  who  wished  me  to  preach  with 
them,  and  I  had  a  great  desire  to  do  so,  but  other  engage- 
ments prevented.  They  had  had  a  preacher,  but  he  was 
then  dead.  Forty  or  fifty  of  them  professed  rehgion. 
When  I  returned  to  Dartmouth  I  found  the  desponding 
young  woman  who  contended  with  me  that  there  was  no 
mercy,  had  found  mercy.     A  revival  commenced  in  those 


152  LIFE   OF   ELDER  MAUK   FEENALD. 

regions,  but  receiving  a  letter  from  home  of  the  sickness 
of  my  brother,  at  whose  house  I  made  mj  home,  I  felt  I 
must  leave.  I  reached  home  on  the  28th ;  found  my 
brother  very  low  and  very  desirous  to  see  me  once  more. 
To  the  praise  of  God,  he  was  raised  again. 

October  1st,  I  was  taken  sick,  and  on  the  3d,  was  under 
the  necessity  of  recalling  my  appointment,  which  was  the 
first  I  ever  recalled.  5th,  recalled  all  my  appointments. 
But  by  the  use  of  means  and  the  prayers  of  God's  people, 
I  was  soon  about  again.  On  the  21st,  I  set  out  on  a 
journey  to  Tuftonborough  to  attend  a  general  meeting. 
On  the  21th,  I  reached  the  place  and  met  the  people. 
On  the  27th,  returned  home.  I  had  offended  some 
because  I  had  preached  against  rum  drinking  and  retail- 
ing, and  so  on  the  28th,  I  gave  them  a  second  part — full 
measure. 

A  boat  was  upset  in  coming  from  Portsmouth,  and  two 
men  and  three  women  were  drowned.  They  were  a  vain 
party,  yet  1  supposed  some  would  send  them  to  heaven 
without  repentance,  but  I  doubted  whether  heaven  would 
be  open  to  them  without  repentance  and  holiness  of  heart. 
Preached  and  labored  all  I  could  consistently  this  month, 
laboring  both  for  my  own  soul  and  body,  and  also  for  my 
fellow  men. 

November  1st,  rode  to  Wells  ;  2d,  to  Saco,  and  tarried 
with  brother  John  Boothby ;  3d,  to  Buxton,  and  met  with 
the  Free-will  Baptists  in  their  yearly  meeting.  Thence  to 
Gorham,  and  on  the  5th,  by  request,  attended  the  burial 
of  an  excellent,  humble,  faithful  youth  at  Scarborough. 
Went  to  Portland  and  preached  twice.  Had  an  unpleasant 
address  from  an  old   professor  Avho  boasted  of  spiritual 


LIFE   OF   ELDER   MARK    FERNALD.  153 

knowledge,  but  despised  and  rejected  all  others  as  Phari- 
sees and  ignorant  of  Christ.  I  thought  him  to  be  one  of 
the  characters  of  whom  Paul  wrote  :  "  Unreasonable  and 
wicked  men  who  have  not  faith."  I  felt  insulted,  but 
pitied  him.  The  people  sometimes  complained  of  my 
pointed  preaching,  but  could  not  show  me  wherein  it  was 
not  according  to  that  of  Christ  and  His  apostles.  That  it 
differed  from  many  who  preached  and  hved  according  to 
the  doctrines  and  commandments  of  men,  I  did  not  dispute. 

After  returning  home  and  preaching  a  few  times,  I  went 
into  the  interior  of  New  Hampshire.  Had  some  solemn 
and  good  meetings.  Baptized  three  at  Wolfborough. 
The  enemy  tried  hard  to  hinder  my  usefulness,  but  Christ 
strengthened  me.  On  the  29th,  it  being  the  annual  State 
Thanksgiving,  I  preached  at  South  Berwick,  and  the  Lord 
blessed  His  truth.  While  many  rush  on  to  destruction  on 
the  dancing  floor,  on  the  evenings  of  these  anniversaries, 
others  strive  for  heaven. 

December  1st,  I  returned  home,  visited  and  preached, 
attending  meetings  daily.  Had  a  visit  from  brother  Ben- 
jamin Taylor.  Attended  the  burial  of  a  youth  at  Ports- 
mouth, whom  the  Lord  gave  me  as  a  seal  twelve  years 
before,  and  who  had  lived  an  exemplary  life. 

At  the  close  of  the  month,  the  Lord  gave  us  some 
reviving  ; — on  the  last  day  we  had  a  very  solemn  season. 
During  the  year  we  had  but  Httle  revival,  while  it  was  a 
time  of  sickness  and  death  among  the  people.  I  thought 
over  my  unprofitableness,  although  I  had  traveled  about 
twenty-seven  hundred  miles,  and  preached  as  often  as 
once  for  every  day  ;  and  the  Lord  had  made  me  useful  in 
some  degree  in  administering  my  medicine. 


154  LIFE   OF   ELDER  MAKE    FERNALD. 


CHAPTER  XIII. 

TOUR   INTO   NEW  HAMPSHIRE— DAVID    SWETT   ORDAINED 

MEETING  AT  BOSCAWEN,  NEW  HAMPSHIRE — GREAT  REVI- 
VAL AT  EASTPORT — TOUR  TO  NEW  YORK — GENERAL 
CONFERENCE  AT  GREENVILLE^  NEW  YORK — CONFERENCES 
AT  GILFORD,  NEW  HAMPSHIRE,  AND  FREETOWN,  MASSA- 
CHUSETTS— BROS.  S.  SWETT  AND  S.  YOUNG  RECEIVED 
INTO    CONFERENCE. 

1822.  In  January  I  journeyed  and  preached  in  many 
towns  in  Maine  and  New  Hampshire,  and  attended  to 
many  that  were  sick  and  lame.  In  Wolf  borough,  I  saw 
some  of  God's  power  revealed.  Prejudice  of  opinion  with 
pride,  had  employed  an  Elder  of  the  Close  Baptist  order 
to  hold  a  meeting  half  of  the  time,  which  appeared  to  be 
in  direct  opposition  to  reformation  both  in  spirit  and  form. 
Several  were  honest  in  it,  but  were  desirous  of  building  on 
order  and  worship,  like  worldly  societies.  My  advice  to 
the  church  and  converts,  was  to  mind  their  oiun  datif,  fol- 
low Jesus,  bear  the  cross  and  overcome  evil. 

Visited  Ossipee,  preached  and  gathered  those  that  I 
had  baptized  at  different  times  into  a  church  of  Christ  of 
Wolf  borough  and  Ossipee,  by  their  request. 

I  found  too  much  of  a  disposition  to  divide  the  church, 
by  introducing  sentiments  which  always  tend  to  division, 


LIFE   OF   ELDER   MARK    FERNALD.  155 

and  not  to  a  gocUj  life  and  conversation.  _  In  many  places 
some  professors  would  keep  aloof  from  reformation,  unless 
it  would  come  in  a  more  pleasing  way  to  pride.  A  person 
came  forward  and  confessed  Christ  in  one  meeting,  who 
heard  me  ten  years  before.  He  was  then  ashamed  to  be 
seen,  and  hid  among  some  bushes,  but  the  word  reached 
him  there.  Thanks  to  Heaven  that  the  Lord  gave  me 
lungs  and  voice  that  could  be  heard  outside  the  camp.  I 
returned  home  on  the  28th.  The  weather  for  the  most 
part,  in  January,  was  very  warm,  and  the  ground  in  many 
places  bare  from  snow,  but  on  the  morning  of  the  23d,  a 
solemn  and  awful  change  took  place  in  the  atmosphere, 
from  very  warm  to  extreme  cold. 

In  February  I  journeyed  east ;  visited  Wells  ;  thence 
to  Scarborough,  and  on  the  8th  went  to  Portland  ;  tarried 
certain  days,  and  thence  to  the  adjoining  towns.  In 
some  of  these  places  I  found  the  spirit  of  reformation 
gone,  and  a  spirit  of  division  operating.  Did  what  I  could 
to  assist  the  true  church  and  remove  difficulties.  When 
•will  Christians  walk  by  the  great  law  of  love  ?  When 
■will  they  keep  loose  from  the  world  and  its  fashions  as 
they  cut  loose  at  their  conversion  ?  0,  that  they  would 
"walk  in  Christ  Jesus  the  Lord  as  they  received  him. 

On  the  18th,  I  met  with  two  accidents.  In  the  morn- 
ing I  fell  on  the  ice  and  cut  and  wounded  my  hand  badly, 
and  in  the  afternoon,  after  riding  in  -a  storm  until  2  o'clock, 
not  wishing  to  be  idle  or  require  too  much  Availing  on,  I 
stabled  my  horse,  as  was  my  usual  practice.  In  ascending 
a  ladder  it  gave  way  and  I  fell  fi-om  the  scaffold,  injuring 
my  side  and  shoulder  very  much,  and  seriously  injuring 
my   left   eye.     Having   cut  my  head  near  my  eye,  and 


156  LIFE   OF   ELDER   MARK    FERNALD. 

there  being  no  doctor  near,  I  sewed  up  the  wound  bj  the 
aid  of  a  looking  glass.  However,  after  recovering  from 
the  shock,  I  was  carried  to  a  tavern  where  I  preached  to 
a  few,  and  at  10  o'clock  in  the  evening  I  rode  three  miles 
to  get  mj  trunk,  that  I  might  not  be  prevented  the  next 
daj  bj  snow  from  meeting  mj  appointments. 

On  the  19th,  I  preached  at  Gray,  and  on  the  20th,  at  a 
place  called  Sabbath  Day  Pond.  On  the  21st,  the  storm 
changed  to  rain ;  the  roads  were  blocked  with  snow,  and 
with  only  one  eye  to  see  my  way,  and  that  very  weak,  I 
felt  backward  about  meeting  my  appointments,  but  think- 
ing on  the  disappointment  to  others,  I  ventured  out  and 
rode  to  Raymond,  though  not  without  being  turned  out  of 
my  sleigh,  and  my  horse  running  away.  I,  however, 
reached  my  appointments  in  season  and  preached  twice. 
In  one  place,  the  youth  were  so  vain  that  I  called  two 
witnesses  to  watch  twelve  months  for  a  reward  of  their 
vanity. 

I   met  with  so  many  obstacles,   accidents,  and  found 
such  traveling,  that  I  began  to  think  I  had  erred  in  making 
the  journey.     I  was  called  upon  to  visit  the  sick,  and  ad- 
minister  medicine   so  frequently,  that  I  and  my  friends 
also,  thought  it  would  injure  my  usefulness  as  a  minister 
The  Lord  knew  what  I  ought  to  have  done,  but  I  did  not 
I  thought  I  would  fidfil  my  appointments  and  return  home 
After  meeting  all  the  appointments  I  had  in  those  regions 
instead  of  returning  home,  my  mind  drew  me  to  the  into 
rior ;  so  on  the  28th,  I  went  to  Limington. 

March  1st,  found  me  at  Ossipee  preaching  to  the  peo- 
ple. I  preached  from  place  to  place,  holding  usually  two 
meetings  each  day.      On  the  14th,    at  Wolfborough,  I 


LIFE    OF   ELDER   MARK    FERNALD.  157 

dismissed  my  meeting,  for  the  first  time  to  administer  to 
the  sick.  In  that  case  a  man  was  supposed  to  be  dying. 
I  went  to  his  relief,  and  he  found  relief.  I  know  that 
through  the  means  I  used,  the  Lord  was  pleased  to  raise 
many  to  health,  and  restore  to  many  the  use  of  their  limbs. 
Let  mortals  find  fault  with  me,  and  let  Heaven  judge.  I 
arrived  home  on  the  20th.  Why  I  met  with  so  many  dis- 
appointments and  accidents,  and  had  so  many  trials  in  that 
tour,  I  know  not,  for  afterward  I  found  that  my  labor  was 
not  in  vain,  but  ruled  for  grea^t  good  in  some  places. 

I  endeavored  to  proclaim  the  way  of  life  and  salvation 
to  my  own  people,  and  in  the  region  round  a^bout,  until  the 
close  of  March. 

In  April,  I  preached  and  labored  as  I  was  wont  to  do  in 
Kittery,  York,  Portsmouth  and  South  Berwick,  endeavor- 
ing to  preach  truth  and  walk  by  it,  while  I  labored  to  re- 
lieve the  distressed.  I  endeavored  to  reheve  the  wants 
of  the  poor  and  needy,  and  in  return  I  received  four-fold 
of  the  things  of  this  world  ;  so  that  do  all  I  would,  the 
Lord  kept  me  deeply  involved  in  debt  to  Him,  but  I  felt 
safe.  I  knew  I  had  a  rich  creditor,  and  what  I  could  not 
pay  he  would  forgive,  by  my  ashhig  Him. 

I  was  unexpectedly  successful  in  removing  some  diffi- 
culties. And  one  thing  I  found  certain :  disregarding  fly- 
ing reports,  saves  many  trials.  Humility  and  confession 
remove  great  difficulties.  Met  with  some  opposition  from 
ranting  professors  in  York  ;  but  the  law  was  recommended 
for  the  lawless  and   drunkards. 

In  May,  having  received  several  requests  to  attend  the 
Free-will  Baptist  quarterly  meeting  at  New  Durham,  I 
went  thither.  On  the  16th,  preached  at  the  ordination  of 
U 


158  LIFE   OF   ELDER   MARK   FERNALD. 

brother  David  Swett.  I  could  but  think  on  the  great  er- 
rand of  the  minister  of  Jesus  :  to  convince  the  blind  of  the 
true  light ;  the  hard  hearted,  of  the  tender  Spirit  of 
Christ ;  and  hating  mortals,  of  the  love  of  Jesus  ;  and  yet 
preachers  jar,  and  sinners  are  thereby  hardened.  On  the 
19th,  I  preached  twice  at  York;  had  an  experience  meet- 
ing; baptized  two  converts;  solemnized  a  marriage,  and 
then  rode  a  distance,  took  my  breakfast,  and  preached  till 
ten  o'clock  in  the  evening.     Preached  in  various  places. 

In  June,  I  went  to  New  Hampshire  ;  and  after  seeing 
some  revival  in  several  places,  I  attended  the  New  Hamp- 
shire Christian  conference  and  general  meeting,  which  was 
a  very  profitable  season.  Attended  to  many  things  relating 
to  the  welfare  of  Zion.  The  meetings  were  held  at  Lou- 
don. Having  had  an  appointment  of  long  standing,  to 
hold  a  meeting  of  two  days  at  or  near  the  west  meeting- 
house, in  Boscawen,  some  of  us  went  there  on  the  15th. 
We  heard  at  Loudon  that  the  meeting-house  would  be  de- 
nied us.  I  concluded  to  speak  in  the  woods ;  but  on  ar- 
rival we  found  the  people  in  the  house,  and  so  we  went  in 
and  preached  to  them  there.  At  the  close  of  the  day  I 
named  to  the  people  that  we  wished  no  contention,  and 
wished  to  proceed  safely ;  and  as  we  had  heard  of  an  un- 
pleasant feeling  in  the  minds  of  some  about  our  occupying 
the  house,  there  being  some  of  different  societies  present, 
we  wished  to  know  whether  we  were  to  have  the  house  the 
next  day.  Hearing  no  objection,  and  being  informed  the 
people  expected  it,  I  appointed  a  meeting  to  commence  at 
ten  o'clock  A.  M.  the  next  day. 

When  I  arrived  at  the  door  the  next  morning,  a  friend 
enquired  if  I  knew  I  was  exposing  myself  to  an  arrest.     I 


LIFE    OF   ELDER  MARK    FERNALD.  159 

told  liim  NO.  I  had  transgressed  no  law,  and  feared  none. 
The  house  being  filled  with  people,  Elder  Shaw  preached. 
At  eleven  o'clock  a  minister  came  to  the  door,  and  made 
some  bustle  outside,  but  we  had  peace  within.  A  paper 
was  handed  me  bj  a  trembling  hand.  I  supposed  it  an 
insult,  and  took  no  notice  of  it  then.  After  sermon  I  found 
it  a  request,  in  form  of  a  demand,  in  the  name  of  the  state, 
that  the  five  Elders  occupying  the  desk  should  leave  it  for 
the  before  named  minister.  After  having  a  good,  solemn 
meeting,  I  stated  to  the  people  the  object  of  the  meeting, 
and  then  told  them  if  they  wished  me  to  engage  in  a  law- 
suit, just  send  for  me,  and  I  would  come  into  their  state 
and  stand  defendant  and  lawyer. 

After  a  recess  of  forty-five  minutes  we  met  again.  I 
preached  perhaps  two  hours  or  more,  and  I  believe  the 
people  were  convince  d  the  Lord  was  with  us  and  in  us. 

I  visited  Concord  and  Allenstown,  and  then  returned 
home.  On  the  21st,  in  company  with  other  preachers  and 
much  people,  had  a  meeting  at  the  house  of  a  woman  who 
was  one  hundred  and  three  years  old.  On  the  23d,  bap- 
tized, and  on  the  29th,  prepared  for  a  voyage  to  Eastport. 
Sailed  on  the  30th. 

July  5th,  arrived  at  Lubec,  and  thence  to  Eastport. 
Found  there  had  been  no  preaching  for  many  months,  and 
religious  feeling  low.  I  concluded  I  was  not  there  in  vain. 
The  cause  had  been  injured  there  by  the  misconduct  of 
preachers.  Had  many  good,  solemn  meetings  at  Eastport, 
also  at  Deer  Island,  New  Brunswick.  Visited  Elder  S. 
Nutt,  at  Plantation  No.  3,  and  with  him  visited  several 
other  places.  Heard  brother  J.  Thompson,  from  England, 
a  Congregational  Methodist.     He  appeared  like  a  serious 


160  LIFE   OF   ELDER  MARK    FERNALD. 

man  of  truth.  Some  disliked  his  gestures ;  I  concluded 
they  were  more  nice  than  wise.  We  need  the  substance 
and  not  the  shadow.  The  preachers  of  other  societies 
heard  me  occasionally. 

Sometimes  in  mj  travels  I  found  young  persons  sick, 
and  likely  to  be  invalids  for  life,  from  hard  usage.  Let 
masters  and  mistresses  consider  that  their  servants  are  of 
as  good  flesh  as  themselves. 

On  the  30th,  I  sailed  in  the  packet  St.  Croix,  Captain 
Brooks,  for  Boston;  he  was  to  land,  however,  about  fifteen 
passengers  at  Portland.  We  had  a  calm  time  of  it ;  the 
passengers  were  very  civil,  and  requested  reading  and 
prayers  at  evening. 

August  3d,  arrived  at  Portland.  Attended  a  few  meet- 
ings with  brother  Rand,  and  on  the  5th,  returned  home. 
On  the  14th,  baptized  a  woman  from  Castine,  Avho  had  neg- 
lected that  duty  twenty  years.  During  this  month,  my 
cousin,  Charles  Stevens,  was  accused  of  the  murder  of  his 
own  son,  while  in  a  state  of  intoxication,  his  wife  being  in 
about  the  same  condition.  Why  will  men  go  to  death  in 
sorrow,  and  to  hell  in  wickedness,  to  gratify  their  taste  ? 

On  the  21st,  started  on  a  journey  to  New  York.  Went 
to  Salisbury  Point,  Massachusetts,  where  the  church  was 
in  a  tried  state.  Their  earthly  shepherd  had  left  them, 
and  joined  another  people,  for  something  or  nothing.  After 
preaching  in  several  places  in  Massachusetts,  I  proceeded 
on  to  Freehold  Village,  Greenville,  Green  county.  New 
York,  and  arrived  at  brother  John  Spore's,  on  the  31st. 

September  4th,  attended  a  Methodist  Camp  Meeting  near 
the  Catskill  Mountain,  the  first  I  ever  attended.  On  the 
5th,  the  General  conference  of  the  Christian  Connection, 


LIFE   OF  ELDER  MARK   FERNALD.  161 

of  the  United  States,  met  at  Greenville.  The  conference 
continued  until  the  7th.  In  the  afternoon  of  the  2d  and 
3d  days  of  the  conference,  there  was  preaching,  and  also 
on  each  evening.  On  the  8th,  about  four  thousand  peo- 
ple assembled  at  a  prepared  place  in  a  grove,  and  four 
sermons  were  preached. 

On  the  9th,  we  met  again  at  the  grove,  and  after  listen- 
ing to  three  discourses,  the  last  of  which  Mark  Fernald 
preached  with  freedom,  repaired  to  the  water,  and  brother 
Spore  baptized  six.     That  day  will  long  be  remembered. 

On  the  10th,  at  New  Baltimore  ;  11th,  Coxsackie  ;  12th, 
crossed  the  North  River  to  Kinderhook,  where  several 
held  a  meeting  in  a  grove ;  in  the  evening  I  preached 
in  the  Academy.  We  held  a  general  meeting  at  Clinton, 
Duchess  County,  on  the  14th  and  15th.  About  twenty- 
five  hundred  people  attended,  and  several  were  brought 
to  repentance.  On  the  evening  of  the  15th,  I  preached 
at  Milan.  Visited  several  towns,  and  then  started  on 
a  return  journey.  18th  and  19th,  preached  in  Ashford, 
Connecticut,  and  stopped  at  the  house  of  C.  H.  Rich- 
mond, who  was  formerly  Clarissa  H.  Danforth.  On  the 
22d,  the  glory  of  God  filled  my  soul ;  sinners  wept,  and 
many  requested  prayers. 

Eeehng  a  drawing  to  Westerly,  Rhode  Island,  I  con- 
cluded to  proceed  that  way,  although  at  least  sixty  miles 
out  of  my  way.  By  request,  I  stopped  at  Windham  and 
preached  at  3  o'clock,  and  also  at  evening.  Those  meet- 
ings were  by  rec|uest  of  a  noted  man,  who  had  been  blest 
by  hearing,  and  wished  his  neighbors  blest  also.  He 
with  his  son  notified  the  people,  and  a  multitude  assem- 
bled. I  hope  good  was  done,  for  that  man  ran  a  risk  by 
14* 


162  LIFE   OF   ELDER   MARK  FERNALD. 

promising  to  pay  the  people  for  their  time  in  attending  the 
meetings,  if  they  were  not  satisfied.  I  feared  something 
\Yas  due  them.  24th5  I  went  to  Norwich,  and  heard  an 
African  preach,  and  gave  in  my  testimony.  At  Westerly 
I  saw  signs  of  a  revival.  Preached  many  times  there,  and 
saw  many  turn  to  the  Lord.  Scores  requested  prayers, 
and  promised  to  seek  the  Lord.     I  also  baptized  three. 

Visited  Hopkinton,  and  preached  w^ith  the  Seventh  Day 
Baptists.  The  meeting  was  very  large.  The  church 
numbered  about  eight  hundred.  Nine  were  baptized  that 
day.  After  baptizing,  they  returned  to  the  meeting-house. 
The  pastor  who  baptized  them,  prayed,  laid  his  hands  on 
them,  and  gave  each  the  right  hand  of  fellowship.  They 
were  a  very  open,  free  people,  but  very  strict  to  keep  the 
fourth  commandment  to  the  Jews.  They  communed  with 
none  other,  but  were  loving  and  Christian-like  otherwise. 

October  1st,  I  felt  a  pressure  of  mind  to  go  to  Stoning- 
ton,  and  accordingly  went.  I  was  advised  to  visit  the 
Baptist  and  Congregational  preachers,  which  I  did.  The 
(]!ongregational  preacher  had  a  meeting  appointed,  and 
then  began  to  question  me  by  asking.  What  denomination 
do  you  belong  to  ?  I  answered,  "  Christian."  He  said, 
0,  Smith's  society  ?  I  answered,  no ;  Smith  does  not 
belong  to  our  Connection.  He  said.  Well,  your  preachers 
deny  the  divinity  of  Christ  ?  I  answered,  no.  If  they 
did  I  should  be  for  disowning  them.  He  said  again.  But 
they  make  a  distinction  between  the  Father  and  Son  ?  I 
answered.  Men  have  their  different  views,  but  we  believe 
in  the  fulness  of  "God  in  Christ.  I  then  enquired.  Who  of 
us  deny  the  divinity  of  Christ  ?  He  answered,  Daniel 
Hix  and  others.     I   repHed,  He  does  not.     We  parted 


LIFE   OF   ELDER   MARK   FERNALD.  163 

hastily,  and  by  request,  I  preached  at  the  Baptist  meeting- 
house. On  the  2d,  I  met  with  the  Baptists  at  North 
Stonington,  at  an  experience  meeting;  five  were  baptized, 
making  seventy-eight  that  had  in  a  short  time  been  added 
to  the  church.  Elder  Cheesbrough  was  a  Christian,  and 
I  cared  not  what  his  name  or  opinion  was.  7th,  went  to 
Providence,  and  preached.  8th,  to  Swanzoy,  and  heard 
an  aged  Baptist  brother  preach.  9th,  preached  at  Fall 
River,  and  on  the  10th,  went  to  Dartmouth,  and  found  the 
godly  Daniel  Hix  at  hard  labor,  setting  an  example  for 
idle  and  genteel  preachers. 

Preached  from  town  to  town,  and  from  place  to  place, 
until  the  19th,  when  for  the  first  time  I  crossed  the  new 
bridge  leading  from  Kittery  to  Portsmouth,  or  from  Maine 
to  New  Hampshire,  and  found  myself  at  home.  Continued 
my  labors  at  home  the  remainder  of  the  month. 

November  4th.  Commenced  a  journey  North.  At- 
tended a  general  meeting  at  Tuftonborough,  and  as  there 
were  but  few  preachers  present,  I  did  a  large  share  of  the 
preaching.  Baptized  at  Wolfborough.  Had  many  sweet, 
heaven-like  meetings,  and  then  returned  to  Dover  on  the 
20th.  In  some  of  my  meetings  I  was  disturbed,  but  in 
most  instances  it  was  through  the  influence  of  rum. 

In  December,  I  preached,  prayed,  sung,  and  did  what 
I  could  in  mPtuy  towns  and  villages,  preaching  to  all  who 
would  come  to  hear,  and  let  others  stay  at  home  and  enjoy 
their  opinion.  On  the  25th,  the  Congregational  minister 
met  with  me  for  public  worship,  and  in  the  evening  we 
united  our  efforts  to  suppress  the  growing  evil  among  us, 
of  abusing  the  day  (Christmas)  by  drinking  and  gambling. 

The  Lord  revived  his  work,  and  sinners  began  to  bow 


164  LIFE   OF  ELDEH  MARK   FERNALD. 

before  Him.  One  who  had  opposed  her  mother  for  crying 
for  mercy,  came  forward  and  confessed,  and  cried  also. 
Another  year  ended,  in  which  I  had  traveled  and  sailed 
thousands  of  miles,  preached  about  every  day,  and  yet 
felt  I  had  done  but  little. 

1823.  January.  The  good  work  of  reformation  was 
going  on,  but  as  brother  Stinchfield  had  come  to  visit  us, 
and  was  expecting  to  tarry  a  while,  and  as  I  had  some  en- 
gagements abroad,  I  concluded  to  leave  ;  so  on  the  1st,  I 
went  to  South  Berwick ;  3d,  to  Farmington  ;  4th,  to 
Wolfborough.  After  performing  my  engagements  in  that 
vicinity,  I  started  for  Maine.  Went  to  Holhs,  thence  to 
Gorham,  and  on  the  16th,  to  Portland.  Received  a  letter 
from  home,  with  the  good  news  that  several  had  been  con- 
verted ;  and  another  letter  from  Eastport,  entreating  me 
to  visit  them  again. 

Started  for  the  East.  On  the  18th,  preached  with  the 
Methodist  brethren  at  Hallowell.  Three  were  converted, 
though  satan  raged.  He  lost  ground,  for  his  servants  in 
breaking  a  window  got  wounded.  Proceeded  to  Vassal- 
borough,  China,  Thorndike,  Frankfort ;  crossed  the  Penob- 
scot river  to  Bucksport,  thence  to  Orland,  Steuben,  East 
Machias,  and  arrived- at  Eastport  on  the  24th.  Found  the 
church  very  dull.  They  had  had  no  preaching  since  I 
left  them  in  July,  and  did  not  'assemble  themselves  to- 
gether. I  found  the  Baptist  and  Congregational  minister 
both  sick,  and  brother  Wheeler,  the  Baptist  minister,  died 
on  the  27th. 

On  the  28th,  I  was  at  the  burial  of  brother  Wheeler,  but 
felt  oppressed  to  see  and  hear  the  instrumental  music  and 
unconverted  persons  performing  what    I  called  impious 


LIFI:    OF   ELDER   MARK    FERNALD.  165 

"VYorshlp  over  a  dead  servant  of  Christ.  In  the  evening  I 
attempted  to  preach,  but  -was  so  shut  up  in  my  mind  that  I 
could  not  proceed,  and  had  to  stop.  I  told  the  people  I 
knew  not  the  cause,  unless  Heaven  was  frowning  on  them, 
for  looking  so  much  at  preachers  and  not  looking  unto  Je- 
sus ;  one  preacher  dead,  another  sick,  and  I  shut  up  in 
my  feelings.  It  was  very  trj/ing  to  me  to  feel  as  I  did, 
especially  while  I  thought  I  had  left  a  revival  at  home  that 
I  had  long  desired.  The  next  evening  there  seemed  to 
be  more  freedom,  and  a  little  rising  in  the  minds  of  some. 
On  the  31st,  I  crossed  the  line  to  Campobello,  New  Bruns- 
wick, and  preached  to  a  people  that  rarely  had  an  oppor- 
tunity of  hearing  preaching.  In  that  meeting  I  had  such 
bodily  distress,  that  I  had  to  stop  until  relieved,  and  then 
I  concluded  my  discourse. 

February  1st,  returned  to  Eastport,  and  though  quite  un- 
well, resumed  my  labors  in  visiting  among  the  people,  and 
holding  frequent  meetings.  The  cause  advanced  some. 
Two  were  converted  during  the  month.  But  the  self- 
styled,  or  so  called  great  men,  did  not  like  my  dwelling  on 
experimental  religion.  Visited  Perry,  Plantation  No.  3, 
and  Deer  Island. 

March  4th,  was  set  as  a  day  for  me  to  start  for  home, 
and  having  heard  by  frequent  letters  that  the  work  of  ref- 
ormation was  going  on  gloriously  at  Kittery,  I  could  not 
feel  reconciled  to  be  absent  longer ;  but  the  Lord  knew 
best,  for  the  traveling  was  such  that  I  could  not  start  then. 
And  when  I  thought  on  the  condition  of  the  people  in  that 
region,  I  concluded  I  would  stay  a  little  longer.  Although 
some  opposed  me,  yet  the  people  flocked  to  hear,  the  saints 
were  revived,  sinners  convicted,  and  dull  formahsts  trou- 


166  LIFE    OF   ELDER  MARK    FERNALD. 

bled.  On  the  30th,  I  baptized  and  attended  the  commun- 
ion.    The  work  of  God  was  going  on. 

April  1st,  I  visited  Lubec,  preached  to  the  people,  a 
few  of  whom  knew  experimental  religion.  Returned  to 
Eastport.  On  the  6th,  baptized,  and  on  the  8th,  attended 
the  burial  of  the  first  convert  after  mj  arrival.  On  the 
20th,  had  another  baptizing  season.  24th,  I  had  been  at 
that  place  three  months,  and  could  praise  the  Lord  for  the 
great  change  that  had  taken  place.  The  Lord  was  at 
work ;  sinners  were  crying  for  mercy,  while  satan  was 
raging  at  his  loss,  and  hating  the  doctrine  of  the  cross.  I 
found  scoffers  were  there  as  well  as  elsewhere.  Some  who 
wished  to  be  called  gentlemen,  should  be  called  base  men, 
for  I  hold  to  calling  things  by  their  right  names.  I  con- 
cluded it  was  best  to  go  on  and  do  my  own  duty ;  for  I 
found  it  was  no  matter  whether  we  did  wrong  by  gratify- 
ing wrong  desires,  or  following  popular  opinion,  so  called, 
to  secure  the  friendship  of  the  world.  How  important  to 
have  our  peace  made  with  Heaven. 

May.  Converts  were  being  multiplied.  On  the  4th,  I 
baptized,  had  a  glorious  season,  and  was  refreshed  by  a 
letter  from  Boston,  stating  that  reformations  were  spread- 
ing, and  that  sinners  were  coming  to  the  Lord  by  hundreds 
in  New  Bedford,  Mass.  On  the  5th,  the  Baptist  and 
Christian  societies  met  in  monthly  concert  for  prayer. 
That  was  as  it  should  be ;  for  by  so  doing  much  prejudice 
was  removed,  and  the  Lord  was  glorified,  while  he  blessed 
us.  Prejudice  should  be  removed  from  the  land  and  world. 
It  has  no  eyes  to  see,  ears  to  hear,  nerves  to  feel,  and  is 
unfit  for  society.  On  the  11th,  attended  the  burial  of  a 
wife  whose  husband's  burial  I    attended  on  -the  8th  of 


LIFE    OF   ELDER  MARK    FERNALD.  167 

April.  That  husband  and  wife  were  the  first  converts, 
and  left  good  evidence  that  thej  had  passed  from  the 
wickedness  of  this  world  to  a  holier  clime.  18th,  baptized 
again.  Satan  raged,  but  the  Lord  enabled  me  to  set  my 
face  as  a  flint,  and  satan's  power  was  shaken. 

We  are  often  deceived  in  people,  who  plead  for  good 
morals  and  rehgion,  but  as  soon  as  souls  are  converted, 
their  good  wishes  and  good  friendship  are  gone.  I  was  to 
leave  on  the  22d,  but  as  my  enemies  were  so  much  pleased 
with  the  idea  of  my  leaving,  and  concluded  they  would 
triumph,  I  concluded  I  would  stop  and  pay  my  enemies, 
and  help  other  souls  to  Jesus  who  were  weeping  and  seek- 
ing him.  So  I  stopped  on  the  wharf,  let  the  packet  sail, 
and  told  the  people  I  was  never  driven,  drummed,  or  lied 
out  of  town,  and  Eastport  should  not  be  the  first  place.  I 
remained  a  few  days,  and  cleared  my  skirts.  I  then  told 
them  I  had  receipted  with  saint  and  sinner.  On  the  27th, 
I  prepared  to  sail  for  Boston,  in  the  Champion,  brother 
William  Shackford,  master.  Near  sunset  the  people 
assembled,  and  I  baptized  two,  one  of  which  was  the  mate 
of  the  packet  I  was  to  sail  in.  It  was  a  solemn  season, 
and  especially  so  to  me,  to  leave  the  older  brethren  and 
young  converts,  without  the  labors  of  a  preacher.  I  went 
to  Eastport  to  spend  five  weeks,  but  I  had  remained  over 
four  months,  passed  through  a  great  many  trials,  yet  the 
Lord  supported  and  gave  me  fruit  of  my  labors,  while  I 
had  been  called  to  leave  the  fruit  of  my  labors  in  Kittery. 
On  the  29th,  we  sailed,  but  a  storm  coming  on,  Vy^e  put 
into  Lubec. 

June  2d,  we  arrived  at  Boston.  Found  brother  M. 
Howe,  and  tarried  with  him.     On  the  3d,  I  arrived  home 


168  LIFE    OF   ELDER   MARK   FERNALD. 

in  safety,  and  found  mj  friends  well.  I  found  the  Lord 
had  been  working  gloriously  in  my  absence,  and  it  w^as 
thought  as  many  as  one  hundred  and  thirty  had  been  con- 
verted or  revived,  and  brought  to  confess  Christ  openly, 
who  had  never  done  so  before.  Quite  a  number  of  them 
had  passed  from  death  unto  life  years  before  ;  seventy-two 
had  been  baptized,  and  the  work  had  not  ceased.  But  I 
found  there  had  been  an  undue  excitement,  and  more 
bodily  exercise  than  had  been  profitable.  Found  Elder 
Stinchfield  still  laboring  as  he  had  done  through  my  ab- 
sence. At  New  Castle,  I  found  a  number  of  converts, 
and  on  the  11th,  baptized  two  in  York,  making  twelve  that 
had  been  baptized  there  that  season. 

On  the  13th,  I  attended  a  church  conference,  to  receive 
any  into  the  church  who  might  desire  to  unite,  as  Elder 
Stinchfield  did  not  add  any  to  the  church  that  he  bap- 
tized ;  and  also  for  any  to  relate  their  experience  for  bap- 
tism. Fourteen  were  received,  three  for  baptism,  and  the 
want  of  time  prevented  more.  On  the  14th,  had  a  con- 
ference at  the  north  of  the  town,  and  a  few  were  received 
that  day.  The  members  of  the  church  resided  in  different 
parts  of  the  town,  and  were  scattered  far  apart.  For  the 
accommodation  of  all,  we  had  stated  church  conferences  in 
the  different  sections.  On  the  15th,  I  preached  twice  to 
a  large  collection  of  people,  baptized  three,  broke  bread  to 
the  church,  and  attended  a  prayer  meeting  in  the  eve- 
ning.    Some  were  happy,  and  sinners  mourned. 

On  the  16th,  visited  the  cliurch  at  South  Berwick,  and 
spoke  to  an  assembly  of  candid  people.  From  thence  to 
Gilford,  New  Hampshire,  to  attend  the  session  of  the  New 
Hampshire    conference,  which  commenced  on  the  18th. 


LIFE   OF   ELDER  MARK   FERNALD.  169 

N.  Piper  and  M.  Howe  preached  the  first  day.  Elias 
Smith  met  with  us,  and  requested  liberty  to  express  his 
mind  and  feelings,  which  being  granted,  he  stated  "  he 
had  been  lost  or  misled  for  six  years,  by  Universalism ;  that 
ho  fell  into  that  doctrine  by  a  wrong  construing  of  Scrip- 
ture ;  that  he  wished  publicly  to  renounce  the  doctrine, 
and  be  received  again  by  the  Christian  Connection."  On 
the  next  day,  William  Gilmore,  from  New  York,  and  Mark 
Fernald  preached.  EHas  Smith  also  preached,  in  order 
to  express  his  mind  to  the  public.  On  the  20th,  brother 
P.  Young  and  myself  preached  at  Meredith  Bridge,  and  I 
baptized  ;  thence  to  Loudon  and  attended  a  general  meet- 
ing on  the  21st  and  22d.  On  the  afternoon  of  the  22d,  I 
preached  at  Gilmanton  Iron  Works,  and  in  the  evening 
rode  to  Alton  to  see  a  sick  man.  23d,  I  preached  in 
Alton,  and  then  proceeded  to  Wolfborough,  and  on  the 
24th,  attended  the  ordination  of  Joseph  Banfield  to  the 
work  of  the  gospel  ministry.  After  baptizing  at  Wolfbor- 
ough, I  visited  Tuftonborough  and  Ossipee,  and  on  the 
30th,  preached  to  the  scattered  inhabitants  of  Zion  at 
Farmington. 

July  2d,  I  returned  to  Kittery,  and  on  the  6th,  bap- 
tized. I  visited,  preached,  prayed,  conversed  and  sung 
daily  in  Kittery,  York,  Portsmouth,  and  New  Castle ; 
baptized  on  the  20th  again,  at  Kittery,  and  on  the  23d, 
commenced  another  tour.  Went  to  Haverhill,  where  a 
number  had  been  converted.  The  Lord  was  at  work,  and 
the  wicked  raged  much  at  my  coming.  On  the  27th,  I 
baptized  two,  and  the  Methodist  brother  preacher  baptized 
one.     The    people  were  solemn  and  attentive  generally, 

excepting  some  boys.     I  wished  the  people  of  Hindoostan 
15 


170  LIFE   OF   ELDER   MARK   FERNALD. 

to  whom  missionaries  were  sent,  would  reciprocate  and 
instruct  the  youth  in  these  regions.  Visited  Methuen 
and  Bradford,  and  on  the  28th,  preached  at  Sahsburj 
Point,  where  the  friends  attended  to  a  long  neglected  duty, 
of  helping  the  preacher. 

August  1st,  I  visited  on  the  islands  in  the  Piscataqua 
river.  On  the  3d,  spoke  twice  in  Kitterj,  thence  to  New 
Castle,  and  with  another  brother  baptized  fourteen  con- 
verts. We  formed  a  procession  as  we  went  to  and  from 
the  water  :  1st,  the  preachers ;  2d,  the  male  candidates  ; 
3d,  female  candidates,  and  then  the  brethren  and  sisters 
followed,  singing,  "  Oh  how  happy  are  they."  After  at- 
tending to  the  ordinance  and  exercises  connected  there- 
with, we  returned,  singing,  "  From  whence  doth  this  union 
arise."  I  then  returned  to  Kittery  and  attended  meeting 
in  the  evening.  That  day  the  Lord's  name  was  praised. 
I  found  in  some  meetings  those  that  were  dressed  well 
and  appeared  at  first  sight  genteel,  but  they  were  as  likely 
as  any  to  be  scoffers,  and  so  I  judged  none  by  their  dress. 
Visited  South  Berwick  and  Elliot  Neck,  so  called. 
Preached  at  York  and  Wells.  Went  to  Hampton ; 
preached  and  broke  bread  to  the  church ;  thence  to 
Rye,  the  Lord  helping  me.  In  one  place  my  heart  was 
pained  to  see  old  men  and  young,  rich  and  poor,  playing 
or  gambling  at  nine  pins  from  morning  till  night,  day  after 
day,  boldly  transgressing  the  law  of  God  and  men. 

On  the  23d,  two  more  united  with  the  church,  and  on 
the  27th,  I  started  on  another  tour.  Went  to  Salisbury, 
thence  to  Haverhill  and  Bradford,  preaching  as  I  went, 
and  reached  Salem  on  the  30th,  where  I  spoke  in  the 


LIFE    OP   ELDER   MARK    FERNALD.  171 

September  1st,  I  was  at  Boston  ;  2d,  at  Taunton  ;  3d, 
at  Freetown,  (Assonnet)  where  our  General  conference 
was  to  meet  on  the  4th.  FeeUng  a  pressure  of  mmd  to 
go  to  Troj,  I  went,  and  had  a  solemn  awakening  time  ; 
many  felt  the  word,  and  as  two  youths  had  just  been 
drowned,  there  was  quite  a  solemnity  on  the  minds  of  many. 
I  visited  Troy  on  the  evenings  of  the  5th  and  6th  ;  some 
were  seeking  the  Lord.  About  twenty  preachers  and 
many  people  met  at  conference,  also  several  preachers 
from  other  denominations.  That  was  one  of  the  best  large 
meetings  we  ever  had  held.  Truly,  the  Lord  helped. 
On  the  13th,  I  reached  home,  and  on  the  14th,  had  a 
baptizing  season.  Labored  as  usual  until  the  23d,  when  I 
commenced  a  journey  to  the  North.  Preached  in  several 
places,  and  on  the  30th,  by  special  request,  I  preached  at 
Andover. 

October  1st,  I  was  at  New  Chester  to  attend  a  general 
meeting.  In  the  forenoon,  the  time  was  improved  by  many 
in  remarks  mostly  on  charity.  In  the  afternoon,  I  preached. 
In  the  evening,  we  held  meetings  in  different  parts  of  the 
town,  as  was  usual  at  such  times.  I  spoke  at  Moses  Wells'. 
On  the  2d,  in  the  morning,  we  met  in  conference,  and 
received  two  young  speakers,  viz  :  Simeon  Young  and  Sim- 
eon Swett.  Wilham  Demeritt,  P.  Young  and  M.  F. 
preached.  I  was  lengthy  and  had  good  freedom,  endeav- 
oring to  urge  the  need  of  a  right  spirit  among  Christians  of 
different  denominations,  and  the  wrong  of  slander,  and  the 
prejudicing  of  people's  minds  against  others,  while  we 
applauded  ourselves.  In  the  evening  I  went  to  Sanborn- 
ton  and  preached  at  N.  Morrill's.  On  the  3d,  the  Lord 
gave  the  word  and  many  felt  the  power.     On  the  4th, 


172  LIFE   OF   ELDER   MARK    FERNALD. 

preached  at  Loudon  Ridge  at  J.  Flanders'  ;  also  on  the 
5th,  where  the  -word  had  powerful  effect.  Visited  Gil- 
manton  and  Pittsfield,  but  as  I  could  not  see  the  work  of 
reformation  spread,  I  returned  home  on  the  10th. 

The  great  slothfulness  of  societies  about  contributing  to 
supply  the  needs  of  preachers  had  w^eighed  heavily  on  my 
mind.  Some  cried  against  taxes,  some  against  subscrip- 
tions, others  against  contributions,  while  others  would  not 
give  privately.  These  things  had  driven  many  useful 
preachers  to  other  business.  I  had  not  received  half 
enough  from  many  places  to  bear  my  expenses,  as  prudent 
as  I  could  be.  When  I  arrived  home  I  found  the  sisters, 
fearing  the  consequence  of  the  people's  neglecting  my 
wants,  had  collected  about  $20,  to  buy  me  some  clothes. 
This  looked  like  "bearing  one  another's  burdens  and  thus 
fulfilling  the  law  of  Christ.  It  was  more  than  I  had 
received  of  the  society  the  whole  year  before. 

On  the  13th,  I  preached  at  New  Castle,  but  was  much 
disturbed  by  the  rum  company.  Some  how  or  other  the 
rummies  w^ere  always  opposed  to  me.  I  supposed  it  was 
because  I  opposed  their  course.  By  impression  of  duty  I 
preached  in  Portsmouth  on  the  23d,  and  saw"  seven  come 
forward  for  prayers,  three  of  whom  were  converted  that 
evening.  That  day  there  was  a  pompous  parade  over  the 
dead,  by  masons,  mechanics  and  the  militia. 

Four  joined  the  church  in  Kittery.  After  preaching  in 
New  Hampshire  and  Massachusetts  a  few  times,  I  started 
East. 

November  1st,  2d  and  3d,  I  attended  the  Free-will 
Baptist  yearly  meeting  at  Gorham,  Me.  I  was  there  a 
messenger  from  the  American  Christian  general  confer- 


LIFE   OF   ELDER   MARK    FERNALD.  173 

ence.  I  was  admitted  to  submit  mj  business.  My  busi- 
ness was  to  present  the  following :  as  we  were  so  near 
each  other  in  our  opinions  and  mode  of  operation,  whether 
we  would  assist  each  other,  when  occasion  required,  in 
ordinations,  baptizing,  and  breaking  bread  to  each  other's 
churches.  They  acted  on  these  subjects,  but  not  without 
some  reluctance  on  the  part  of  some.  On  ordination,  they 
wholly  refused  to  co-operate  ;  on  the  other  propositions, 
about  one  half  were  agreed  ;  but  I  saw  no  prospect  of  a 
better  union,  so  long  as  we  old  preachers  lived.  I  preached 
at  Gorham,  Windham,  Gray,  New  Gloucester  and  Port- 
land ;  in  some  of  these  places  several  times,  and  then 
commenced  a  return.  On  the  12th,  preached  at  Scar- 
borough, thence  to  Saco,  where  I  preached  again.  I  found 
some  converts  to  Christ,  and  some  very  wicked  persons ; 
among  them  was  a  young  woman,  whom  I  was  constrained 
to  order  to  go  home,  or  to  conduct  herself  in  a  more  be- 
coming way.  13th,  preached  at  Kennebunk,  and  14th,  at 
Cape  Neddock,  where  we  had  an  excellent  meeting. 

Returned  home  on  the  15th,  and  the  next  day  preached 
thrice,  and  baptized.  Had  some  refreshing  seasons  at 
Kittery,  Portsmouth,  and  New  Castle  ;  then  went  to  South 
Berwick. 

December  2d,  I  returned  from  South  Berwick,  and  on 
the  3d,  preached  in  the  western  part  of  York  to  a  crowd 
of  candid  people,  save  a  few  drunkards.  On  the  7th,  I 
baptized  in  Kittery.  On  the  25th,  [Christmas,]  had 
meetings  as  was  our  usual  practice  on  that  day.  Many 
rejoiced  in  the  Savior,  whose  birth  they  wished  to  regard, 
whether  it  was  on  that  day  or  not,  while  many  abuse  the 
day,  and  rush  onward  to  hell.  I  labored  in  my  accus- 
15* 


174  LIFE   OF   ELDER   MARK    FERNALD. 

tomed  way,  until  the  30th,  when  I  went  to  Eochester,  and 
on  the  31st,  went  to  Brookfield,  and  in  the  evening, 
preached  at  Thomas  Barley's. 

Another  year  of  my  frail,  and,  I  feared,  unprofitable 
life  closed.  I  had  many  trials,  and  suffered  much  from 
infirmities  during  the  year.  I  had  also  been  much  blessed 
in  preaching  the  word  of  God.  I  thought  I  was  no  better 
or  more  prepared  for  heaven  than  I  was  at  the  commence- 
ment of  the  year,  and  I  could  but  cry  out,  Lord,  when 
shall  I  become  pure  and  holy  ? 


LIFE   OF  ELDER  MARK    FERNALD.  175 


CHAPTER  XIV. 

BAPTIZING  AT  NEW  CASTLE — CONFERENCE  AT  BOSCAWEN — 
TOUR    TO    NEW    YORK — UNITED    STATES    CONFERENCE — 

NEW  HAMPSHIRE  CONFERENCE BRETHREN  J.  H.  NUTTER 

AND  J.  WINKLEY  ORDAINED— MARRIED  TO  JANE  STEVENS 
— BAPTISM  AT  SALISBURY  POINT,  MASSACHUSETTS — CON- 
FERENCE   AT    LOUDON HENRY    PLUMMER    ORDAINED  — 

SEVERAL  GENERAL  MEETINGS. 

1824.  January  1st.  I  preached  at  Wolf  borougli,  from 
Deut.  XV :  17,  which  had  a  good  effect,  and  on  the  2d, 
preached  in  the  same  neighborhood.  The  Lord  helped. 
One  cried  out  to  Heaven  for  help,  and  the  next  morning 
found  peace.  On  the  4th,  I  preached  or  lectured,  just  as 
people  were  disposed  to  call  it,  on  drinking  and  dancing, 
sins  which  were  prevalent ;  two  D's  which  usually  go 
together.  These  two  evils  have  cost  the  true  church  as 
much  labor  as  any  other  two  evils  ;  perhaps  more.  Strange 
that  mortals,  after  making  the  most  solemn  promises  to 
God  when  in  distress  of  body  or  mind,  should  be  found  on 
the  dancing  floor,  which  is  evil  and  only  evil,  injuring  the 
health,  'corrupting  the  morals  and  destroying  the  soul. 
Preached  in  different  towns,  and  on  the  20th,  started  for 
Mame. 


176  LIFE   OF   ELDER  MARK   FERNALD. 

I  went  to  Lebanon,  and  hearing  of  a  burial,  though  at 
some  distance  from  mj  road,  I  felt  inclined  to  go.  The 
preacher  not  coming  to  attend  the  services,  I  preached. 
Some  thought  the  Lord  sent  me.  I  beheved  some  good 
was  done.  On  the  22d,  I  was  at  the  burial  of  an  aged 
pilgrim,  at  South  Berwick,  where  there  was  a  crowd  of 
unconverted  people,  but  the  clergyman  came,  performed 
the  services  and  departed,  in  sixteen  minutes.  If  the 
people  got  any  good,  they  had  to  catch  it  quick.  The 
work  of  the  Lord  was  revived  gloriously  in  Portsmouth, 
the  last  of  this  month,  and  the  indications  were  good  in 
Kittery. 

February  was  a  cold  month,  and  for  the  most  part, 
stormy  or  blustering,  yet  we  had  some  reviving  meetings. 
Brother  J.  Boothby  visited  us,  and  preached  the  word  of 
life.  Some  events  occurred  which  opened  new  doors  for 
preaching,  and  brought  in  new  hearers.  There  was  some 
reviving  and  reclaiming  of  wanderers.  Sometimes  when 
people  are  in  a  backslidden  state,  they  will  feel  irritated 
when  reproved,  and  accuse  those  who  reprove  them  with 
making  false  charges ;  but  when  they  "  take  words  to  re- 
turn to  the  Lord,"  they  will  confess  their  error. 

In  March  I  was  mostly  at  Kittery,  occasionally  visiting 
other  towns.  There  was  quite  an  interesting  state  of 
feeling  among  the  people,  and  very  much  so  in  the  church. 
On  the  7th,  I  baptized,  and  on  the  9th,  I  comj^tleted  my 
fortieth  year.  It  was  a  solemn  day  to  me,  and  in  the 
evening  we  had  a  solemn  and  deeply  impressive  meeting. 
I  preached  from  Genesis  xix:  14.  During  the 'month  it 
was  quite  sickly  among  the  people,  and  in  addition  to  my 
duties  as  a  minister  in  visiting  the  sick,  I  was  frequently 


LIFE   OF  ELDER  MARK   FERNALD.  177 

called  on  to  administer  as  a  physician,  and  the  Lord  blessed 
me  in  so  doing. 

April  1st,  I  preached  in  York.  On  the  4th,  after 
preaching  twice  in  Kittery,  I  crossed  the  river  to  New 
Castle,  and  had  a  large,  solemn  meeting  in  the  evening,  a 
season  that  will  long  be  remembered.  Several  vessels 
w^ere  to  sail  the  next  day,  and  as  I  passed  them,  I  was 
impressed  with  the  text,  (Acts  xx  :  7,)  "  Ready  to  depart 
on  the  morrow."  In  using  the  text,  I  made  various  ap- 
phcations,  and  spoke  on  the  possibility  of  departing  by 
death  on  the  morrow\  The  discourse  produced  a  solemni- 
ty, and  particularly  on  the  mind  of  an  elderly  and  friendly 
man.  He  spoke  of  the  effect  it  produced  on  his  mind. 
Before  the  next  night,  he  was  drowned.  How  important 
to  be  ready.  On  the  10th,  had  a  church  conference  and 
experience  meeting  at  Portsmouth.  A  contention  about 
singing  and  mode  of  worship  had  done  essential  injury, 
and  brought  reproach  upon  the  cause  of  religion.  How 
much  evil  has  been  done  by  getting  unconverted,  wicked 
people,  to  sing  in  the  time  of  pubhc  worship,  and  when  we 
are  professedly  serving  God.  It  is  a  solemn  mockery, 
and  offering  insult  to  high  Heaven.  I  ever  felt  it  my  duty 
to  press  forward,  though  some  might  be  offended.  On  the 
11th,  preached  thrice,  and  baptized  six.  It  rained  heavily, 
and  they  were  wet  soul  and  body,  but  happy  in  the  Lord. 

In  May,  I  visited  Hampton,  Newburyport,  Bradford, 
Haverhill,  Methuen,  and  Sahsbury  Point,  as  well  as 
Portsmouth,  New  Castle,  and  York.  In  several  places, 
brother  M.  Howe  and  myself  united  our  labors.  On  the 
12th,  a  youth  was  buried,  who  had  run  vanity's  road, 
drunk  of  its  pleasures,  banished  the  thoughts  of  death,  and 


178  LIFE   OF   ELDER  MAEK    FERNALD. 

refused  to  converse  on  futurity.  She  had  evaded  all  my 
efforts  to  converse  with  her.  How  dreadful  to  fight  death 
until  conquered.  On  the  22d,  baptized  at  the  north  part 
of  Kittery,  called  Spruce  Creek. 

June  1st.  Commenced  a  tour,  visiting  and  preaching 
at  Berwick,  Wolfborough,  Tuftonborough,  Ossipee,  Gil- 
manton,  Canterbury  and  Boscawen,  where  the  New 
Hampshire  conference  was  held.  We  had  a  good  sitting 
together.  We  circulated  in  our  labors  as  w^as  usual  on 
these  occasions,  and  on  the  evening  of  the  11th,  I  preached 
in  Salisbury  ;  12th,  in  Andover.  That  meeting  was  a 
mixture  of  diverse  opinions,  but  I  had  unexpected  liberty. 
I  remained  at  Boscawen  by  impression,  and  preached  on 
the  13th,  to  a  large  concourse  of  people.  Some  of  them 
came  sixteen  miles.  Keturned  home  and  continued  my 
labors.  On  the  oOth,  there  was  a  terrific  thunder  storm. 
Three  or  four  were  killed  by  lightning  in  the  vicinity, 
and  one  of  my  neighbors  was  drowned. 

I  found  a  division  of  feehng  among  many  in  our  church- 
es, relative  to  the  improvement  of  brethren  and  sisters  in 
public,  and  I  found  w^e  needed  a  great  deal  of  wisdom  to 
discern  between  honest  brethren  and  fanatics ;  between 
conscientious  worshipers  of  God,  and  will-worsMijers. 

The  4th  of  July,  the  anniversary  of  the  independence 
of  the  United  States  being  Sunday,  as  is  the  usual  custom, 
the  day  was  celebrated  on  the  5th,  and  I  preached  to  such 
as  had  rather  hear  the  gospel  than  frolic.  Sometimes  in 
my  preaching,  I  was  constrained  to  be  very  pointed,  while 
I  saw  many  departing  from  the  living  God,  to  the  world's 
customs.  I  saw  also  that  a  lack  of  love  and  too  much  will 
pleased  the  Devil. 


LIFE   OF   ELDER  MARK    FERNALD.  179 

On  the  1st  of  August,  I  visited  a  few  places,  saw  some 
turn  to  the  Lord,  but  found  that  prosperity  sometimes  clips 
the  wings  of  religious  feelings,  when  adversity  makes 
them  grow.  On  the  20th,  started  on  a  journey  South. 
On  the  24th,  at  Boston,  I  saw  the  famous  Frenchman, 
General  Lafayette.  26th,  I  went  to  Ashford,  and  stopped 
at  Deacon  Richmond's.  Preached  at  Ashford.  On  the 
28th,  went  to  Windham,  and  attended  a  general  meeting. 
On  the  29th,  I  preached  on  Lin.  30th,  we  went  to 
Hartford,  and  31st,  to  Litchfield,  and  put  up  at  a  tavern 
which  was  connected  with  the  county  prison. 

September  1st,  found  me  at  Freedom,  Duchess  County, 
New  York,  to  attend  the  United  States  conference.  The 
conference  was  held  on  the  2d  and  3d.  On  the  4th,  a 
general  meeting  was  holden  at  Beckman,  which  I  attended, 
after  preaching  at  a  burial.  On  the  5th,  we  held  a  meet- 
ing in  a  grove.  J.  Badger,  S.  Clough,  and  M.  Fernald 
preached.  On  the  7th,  attended  a  general  meeting  at 
Milan,  with  brother  J.  King.  10th,  went  to  Pleasant 
Valley,  and  at  Catskill  Ferry,  crossed  the  North  River, 
and  stopped  at  Doctor  Warner's.  11th,  preached  at  Cairo. 
On  the  12th,  I  preached  at  Greenville,  Freehold  Village, 
and  in  the  evening  at  Westerlo.  Some  of  these  meetings 
were  not  in  vain.  On  the  13th,  I  went  to  Rensselaer, 
Potter's  Hollow,  where  some  served  the  Lord,  and  some 
got  tired  and  left  the  meeting.  There  I  saw  a  youth  near 
death,  with  consumption. 

14th,  I  went  to  Middlebury,  thence  to  Schoharie,  and 
thence  to  Root.  On  the  15th,  had  an  awakening  meeting 
at  Root,  and  on  the  16th,  preached  at  Charleston,  where 


180  LIFE   OP   ELDER   MARK    FERNALD. 

I  believe  the  Lord  gave  the  word.     On  the  17th,  pro- 
ceeded to  Broadalbin. 

September  18th,  we  commenced  a  general  meeting  at 
Broadalbin.  J.  Spore  and  M.  Fernald  preached,  and  in 
the  evening  sat  in  church  conference  with  the  church  until 
twelve  o'clock  at  night.  The  church  requested  the  ordi- 
nation of -=— from  New  Hampshire.  The  preachers 
could  not  consent  to  ordain  him,  as  he  had  shown  too  much 
pride  and  foppishness.  It  was  trying,  as  many  thought 
him  humble,  though  fashionable.  19th,  had  a  great  gath- 
ering in-doors  and  out,  and  on  the  20th,  attended  to  some 
church  labor,  and  bj  the  blessing  of  the  Lord,  we  had 
some  good  at  the  close.  How  much  wisdom  is  needed 
both  by  church  and  pastor.  Parted  with  brother  J.  Spore, 
who  had  been  with  me  ten  days.  On  the  21st,  went  to 
Mansfield,  Cranberry  Creek.  I  preached  in  the  afternoon, 
and  R.  Potter,  of  Rhode  Island,  in  the  evening.  The 
Lord  was  with  us,  and  truth  cut  its  way.  22d,  went  to 
Galloway  with  Jesse  Thompson,  who  accompanied  me  man}^ 
days.  Had  a  good  meeting,  and  at  evening  attended  the 
sick.  Preached  on  the  23d,  in  Ballston,  but  we  had  an 
earthquake  there.  24th,  visited  Saratoga  Springs.  I 
concluded  these  Springs,  and  those  at  Ballston,  better  for 
scrofula  and  lazy  gentry  than  for  me.  At  evening  I 
preached  in  Malta.  Continued  preaching  at.  different 
places  through  the  month.  In  Schenectady  I  notified  my 
meeting  by  handbills,  which  was  the  first  time  I  ever  gave 
notice  in  that  way.  At  Charleston  Village,  the  Presby- 
terian minister  was  requested  to  let  me  preach  in  his 
meeting  house,  but  denied,  unless  I  would  preach  trinity. 


LIFE    OF   ELDER  MARK    FERNALD.  181 

So  we  had  a  meeting  in  a  private  house.  Prejudiced 
mortals  are  blinded. 

In  October,  I  visited  Lansingburg  and  Troy,  with  brother 
Thompson  ;  had  one  good  meeting  at  Lansingburg,  and 
the  Baptist  preacher  co-operated  with  us,  but  the  Presby- 
terian and  Methodist  shamefully  prejudiced  the  people, 

especially  by  Elder 's  unfair  book,  concerning  the 

Christian  Society.  Some  who  professed  sanctification 
opposed  us  as  much  as  any.  I  prayed  they  might  be 
sanctified  by  some  better  spirit.  The  horrid  enmity  and 
slander  of  Trinitarians  in  New  York,  was  too  much  to  be 
endured  in  a  free  country.  Men  belonging  to  no  denomina- 
tion had  injured  us  materially.  In  some  places,  especially 
in  some  large  towns,  I  found  more  ignorance  and  super- 
stition than  religion.  Visited  Albany,  thence  to  Green- 
bush,  and  thence  to  Chatham.  At  Hudson,  the  Methodist 
meeting  house,  academy,  and  court  house,  were  denied, 
and  so  I  preached  at  John  Payne's,  and  the  Spirit  of  the 
Lord  was  with  us  indeed,  and  the  most  careless  youths 
wept  like  children.  The  Methodist  class  leader  cried 
amen,  and  wished  his  preacher  and  society  were  present 
to  get  cured  of  their  prejudice.  After  visiting  a  few  more 
places,  I  started  for  Connecticut  and  Rhode  Island.  I 
preached  several  times  in  Westerly,  and  witnessed  some  of 
the  effects  of  my  last  visit.  The  people  remembered  my 
wants  liberally  ;  the  Lord  reward  them.  Went  to  Kings- 
ton, and  Newport,  and  thence  to  Dartmouth.  There  I 
saw  some  good  done.  I  wanted  to  visit  the  Narraganset 
Indians,  agreeably  to  their  request,  but  could  not.  I 
attended  an  Indian  burial  at  Troy,  when  an  aged  man 

followed  his  tenth  and  last  child  to  the  grave. 
16 


182  LIFE    OF   ELDER   MARK   FERNALD. 

November  1st.  I  spoke  at  North  Dartmouth.  The 
word  caused  some  to  weep  and  tremble  ;  three  requested 
prayer,  and  were  determined  to  seek  heaven  in  earnest, 
and  many  were  much  distressed.  I  had  traveled  out  of 
my  way  one  hundred  miles,  at  extra  expense,  from  an  im- 
pression while  in  New  York,  and  found  my  impression  was 
not  imagination,  or  in  vain.  All  my  expense  was  made 
good,  and  I  found  it  good  to  hear  the  Shepherd^ s  voice. 

On  the  3d,  attended  the  ordination  of  Howard  Tripp,  at 
Dartmouth,  to  the  work  of  the  ministry,  and  T.  Askley, 
deacon.  B.  Taylor,  M.  Howe,  D.  Hix,  and  M.  Fernald, 
took  a  part  in  the  services.  After  seeing  some  of  the 
salvation  of  God,  I  went  to  Middleborough,  thence  to  Boston. 
In  Salem,  eighty  joined  three  churches  in  one  day.  On 
the  11th,  I  arrived  at  Portsmouth,  and  found  a  special 
request  to  attend  the  burial  of  Deacon  Simeon  Lord,  at 
Berwick.  I  hastened  thither.  He  had  an  evidence  of 
his  departure,  while  in  health,  and  also  of  his  happy  change. 
After  visiting  some  in  Kittery,  I  assisted  brother  R.  Foster 
in  preparing  a  hymn  book. 

In  December,  I  preached  and  labored,  as  was  my  custom 
when  at  home,  for  I  was  not  easy  unless  I  was  in  meeting 
or  visiting.  Had  some  good  meetings,  and  one  baptizing 
season.  Witnessed  the  value  of  religion  in  the  death  of 
Susanna  Trefethen,  a  youth,  aged  21  years,  who  was  happy 
in  the  Lord. "  Another  year  had  passed  away.  I  had  run 
with  all  my  might,  and  labored  day  and  night. 

1825.  January.  I  commenced  the  year  by  preaching 
as  pointedly  as  I  possibly  could  against  the  prevailing 
vices,  and  by  presenting  the  truth  in  its  love,  though  it 
might  bear  snug  on  myself.    I  considered  that  the  religion 


LIFE    OF   ELDER   MARK   FERNALD.  183 

of  Jesus  was  to  be  carried  out  in  practice  by  the  law  of 
Jesus,  and  a  departure  from  that  law  an  infringement  on 
the  rights  of  every  true  child  of  God.  I  considered  that 
a  majority  in  a  church  had  no  more  right  than  a  minority 
to  say  what  their  practices  should  be  ;  but  what  saith  the 
Lord,  or  His  word  of  inspiration  ?  Professors  were  many,  but 
possessors  few  ;  for  by  their  fruits  we  had  a  right  to  judge. 

I  preached,  prayed,  sung,  and  labored,  in  York,  Kittery, 
and  Portsmouth,  until  the  14th,  when  I  went  to  Salisbury 
Mills,  and  on  the  15th  and  16th,  preached  there.  We 
held  a  meeting  in  the  same  building,  where  a  cat  was 
thrown  at  me  fifteen  years  before  for  preaching  the  solemn 
truth,  in  tears.  17th,  preached  in  a  part  of  Newbury, 
called  Joppa,  and  on  the  18th,  at  Newburyport,  in  the 
town  hall.  About  one  hundred  had  been  converted  in 
Newbury  and  Newbury  port.  I  preached  daily,  at  different 
places.  On  the  26th,  I  preached  at  Newbury.  Many 
heard  with  deep  attention,  and  tears.  At  9  o'clock,  about 
twent}^  went  to  a  dwelling  house,  and  had  a  prayer  meet- 
ing, and  one  was  converted.  On  the  31st,  I  returned  to 
Portsmouth,  where  brother  Lorenzo  Dow  and  myself  had 
a  meeting. 

February  3d,  I  took  Lorenzo  with  me,  and  held  some 
meetings  in  Kittery.  On  the  4th,  we  v/ent  to  York,  and 
thence  to  Portsmouth.  7th,  attended  a  church  meeting. 
13th,  baptized  four  young  men  at  Portsmouth.  16th, 
went  to  South  Berwick.  17th,  to  Wolf  borough.  Preached 
at  Wolf  borough,  and  in  the  several  towns  where  I  had 
been  accustomed  to  preach.  After  discharging  my  duty, 
as  I  understood  it,  I  returned  home  again,  and  I  trust  the 
visit  was  the  means  of  some  good. 


184  LIFE   OF   ELDER  MARK    FERNALD. 

March  2d,  attended  a  burial  at  York.  20th,  baptized 
at  Portsmouth.  The  most  of  this  month  I  devoted  to 
church  labor  in  Kitterj,  York,  South  Berwick,  and  I  think 
very  profitably.  We  held  church  meetings,  or  church 
conferences,  and  had  preaching  in  the  evening.  I  at- 
tended several  burials  also.  I  found  it  my  duty  to  preach 
much  on  drunkenness  and  frolicking,  which  caused  so 
much  trouble  in  the  church. 

April  1st,  attended  a  burial  at  Portsmouth,  and  met 
with  brethren  N.  Piper,  of  New  Hampshire,  and  E.  Shaw 
and  John  Payne,  of  New  York.  6th,  preached  at  York, 
Swett's  Neck,  so  called,  and  on  the  7th,  it  being  "  State 
Past,"  I  preached  three  times,  at  York.  Had  some  tokens 
of  good,  but  we  were  disturbed  by  a  disturbing  railer. 
My  health  was  not  good,  and  on  some  occasions  I  beheve 
I  had  divine  help  for  soul  and  body.  I  visited  a  few  towns 
in  New  Hampshire  and  Massachusetts. 

May  1st.  I  was  at  Sahsbury  Point,  and  had  a  serious, 
good  season.  I  preached  thrice,  attended  the  burial  of  a 
man  who  was  drowned,  and  had  a  short  communion  season. 
Some  from  four  denominations  of  Christians  partook  of  the 
emblems.  A  congregational  brother  preacher  was  one  of 
the  communicants.  After  fulfilling  my  engagements,  I 
returned  home,  and  being  quite  sick,  and  very  much  dis- 
tressed in  body,  I  concluded  I  would  suspend  my  labors  a 
few  days.  On  the  15th,  I  ventured  to  ride  to  the  meeting 
house,  where  I  preached  twice.  Being  weak,  and  having 
some  zeal,  my  exercise  got  up  quite  a  perspiration,  which 
I  found  was  an  excellent  medicine.  On  the  20th,  finding 
my  health  much  improved,  except  a  bad  humor,  I  con- 
cluded to  use  blisters,  and  an  issue  ;  but  in  burning  for  an 


LIFE   OF   ELDER   MARK  FERNALD.  185 

issue,  I  burned  too  deep  a  wound,  which  I  had  great 
difficulty  in  heahng,  until  I  thought  of  Isaiah's  fig,  which 
he  prescribed  for  Hezekiah. 

On  the  28th,  the  New  Hampshire  conference  com- 
menced at  Portsmouth,  and  continued  three  days.  I  was 
too  lame  to  walk,  but  attended  the  conference.  I  did  not 
consider  my  infirmities  as  a  judgment  or  a  rod,  but  what 
mortahty  is  always  subject  to. 

In  June  my  health  was  so  improved  that  I  was  enabled 
to  go  into  the  work  again,  which  I  did  as  usual,  although 
I  thought  sometimes  when  I  was  called  to  see  the  sick  and 
distressed,  that  I  was  as  much  distressed  as  they  were  ; 
but  I  saw  too  much  to  be  done  to  stop  when  I  could  help 
it,  and  sometimes  I  forgot  my  infirmities.  In  the  south 
of  York,  the  attention  of  the  people  was  very  much  called 
up. 

July  4th.  Having  found  it  productive  of  good  to  have 
a  religious  liberty  sermon  on  the  birth  day  of  our  nation,  I 
preached  at  Kittery,  and  found  it  good  then.  The  Lord 
favored  us.  Visited  Hampton,  Hampton  Falls,  Seabrook, 
Salisbury  Point  and  Mills,  and  Haverhill.  At  Hampton 
I  preached  four  times  on  the  24th.  The  third  was  ap- 
pointed at  sunset ;  I  preached  to  those  that  collected 
together ;  and  more  coming  in  very  late,  I  concluded  it 
was  my  duty  to  preach  again,  either  to  obhge  them  or 
learn  them  to  get  together  in  season  in  future.  It  was  a 
very  dry  season,  with  extreme  heat ;  many  died  from  heat 
and  carelessness. 

August.     The  good  work  of  the  Lord  was  progressing 

some  in  York,  and  on  the  7th  I  baptized   two  there.     On 

the  18th,  went  to  South  Berwick.     The  church  was  low 
1^* 


186  LIFE   OF  ELDER  MARK    FERNALD. 

and  very  much  scattered,  yet  there  was  a  good  revival  at 
the  Village,  where  iniquity  had  greatly  abounded.  22d, 
I  visited  the  factories  at  Great  Falls,  and  preached  to  a 
mixed  multitude  of  various  characters.  Some  were  sol- 
emn. On  the  24th,  I  returned  to  the  north  of  Kittery, 
and  stopped  over  night.  More  signs  of  revival  and  more 
manifestations  of  God's  work,  in  some  places,  than  I  had 
seen  for  some  time,  for  Avhich  I  thanked  God  and  took 
courage. 

September  2d,  started  on  a  tour  ;  went  to  Durham,  New 
Hampshire,  and  attended  a  general  meeting  on  the  3d  and 
4th.  We  held  a  conference,  and  agreed  to  ordain  J. 
H.  Nutter,  and  J.  Winkley,  and  accordingly,  on  the  4th, 
they  were  ordained  to  the  work  of  the  gospel  ministry. 
On  the  5th,  I  went  to  Pittsfield  and  tarried  with  brother 
E.  Knowlton's  sick  family.  7th,  attended  a  general  meet- 
ing at  Gilford  with  J.  Banfield  and  J.  Harriman,  who 
preached ;  on  the  8th,  W.  Demeritt  and  M.  F.  preached. 
Good  was  done.  9th,  preached  at  Meredith,  and  had  a 
weeping  season,  though  a  few  were  not  pleased.  Thence 
to  Tuftonborough,  Ossipee,  Wolf  borough,  and  Brookfield, 
where  the  Lord  helped  and  many  felt  the  word.  On  the 
24th,  I  returned  home. 

I  had  never  proposed  marriage  to  any  person  on  earth 
until  just  previous  to  my  lea^ving  home  on  the  tour  before 
mentioned,  when  I  had  some  talk  with  Jane  Stevens,  who 
was  a  sister  in  Christ,  a  cousin  by  relationship,  and  an 
acquaintance  from  childhood.  From  our  long  acquaintance, 
I  supposed  we  understood  each  other's  dispositions.  On 
the  26th,  I  asked  for  an  answer  to  my  question,  whether 
she  would  become  my  wife  ?     I  received  an  answer,  and 


LIFE    OF   ELDER   MARK    FERNALD.  187 

the  next  daj  had  our  intentions  lawfully  published.  On 
the  16th  of  October,  1825,  at  evening,  after  preaching 
twice  myself  during  the  day,  Mark  Fernald  and  Jane 
Stevens  were  joined  in  marriage  by  Elder  John  Boothby, 
in  the  meeting  house,  and  in  the  presence  of  the  church 
and  society  of  my  charge,  besides  many  strangers.  So 
we  made  a  large  wedding,  or  had  a  large  wedding  party, 
to  accommodate  all  our  friends  if  possible,  and  brother 
Boothby  entertained  them  with  a  good  sermon  on  the 
occasion. 

In  October,  I  took  another  tour  in  New  Hampshire. 
Attended  a  general  meeting  at  Tuftonborough.  Visited 
many  towns,  and  at  Alton  found  about  sixty  converts. 

In  November,  I  continued  my  tour.  I  found  some 
things  among  the  churches  and  people  encouraging,  and 
some  things  trying.  At  Newton  there  were  about  thirty 
converts,  but  there  was  too  much  of  a  desire  among 
preachers  to  get  numbers  to  their  several  societies,  and 
not  enough  to  win  souls  to  Christ.  On  the  19th,  I  re- 
turned home,  and  to  the  close  of  the  month,  labored  in  my 
accustomed  manner,  in  the  region,  the  Lord  helping  me, 
and  manifesting    himself  in    some  instances  among    the 

people. 

Ride  on,  all  conquering  King,  ride  on, 
,  Tiiou  art  my  Captain,  King,  and  Head. 

December  3d,  went  to  South  Berwick,  and  attended  a 
church  conference.  Difficulties  had  existed  for  some  time 
in  the  church,  and  I  had  notified  them  that  I  must  with- 
draw my  pastoral  relation,  unless  they  were  removed.  I 
was  threatened  with  a  law  suit,  if  I  attempted  to  call  some 
to  an  account  for  their  immoral  conduct.     Too  many  think 


188  LIFE   OF   ELDER  MAEK    FERNALD. 

the  New  Testament  a  dead  letter.  Had  a  few  good  meet- 
ings, returned  home,  and  heard  brother  Abner  Jones 
preach  well. 

Preached  in  York  several  times,  also  in  Portsmouth  ; 
attended  a  number  of  burials,  and  visited  much  during  the 
month.  Had  some  refreshing  seasons,  but  saw  the  need 
of  more  labor.  Another  year  closed  with  a  storm  ;  but  I 
felt  peace  within,  and  a  good  hope  of  eternal  hfe. 

'*  My  clays,  my  weeks,  my  months,  my  years, 
Fly  rapid,  like  the  i oiling  spheres, 

Around  the  steady  pole; 
Time,  like  the  tide,  its  motion  keeps, 
And  1  must  launch  through  boundless  deeps, 

Where  endless  ages  roll/' 

1826.  January  1st.  I  preached  from  Ezra  vii :  10. 
It  was  a  searching  time.  Visited  daily,  laboring  to  the 
best  of  my  abilities,  in  different  sections  of  the  town.  A 
colored  man  visited  us,  and  preached ;  but  it  seemed  that 
satan  had  come  with  great  power  in  a  number  of  people, 
to  try,  if  possible,  to  destroy  my  rehgious  influence,  through 
prejudice  ;  and  all  because  I  openly  rebuked  wickedness. 
On  the  28th,  at  a  monthly  conference,  I  took  occasion  to 
speak  faithfully  and  pointedly  against  brethren  sowing 
discord.  Some  people,  when  they  have  aught  against 
another,  instead  of  following  the  rule  of  Christ,  they  will 
go  to  others,  and  try  to  disaffect  their  minds,  by  telling  all 
they  know  and  a  great  deal  more  ;  and  some  are  so  sluggish 
that  they  will  not  try  to  inform  themselves,  but  "  are  wiser 
in  their  own  conceit  than  seven  men  that  can  render  a 
reason."  I  felt  strength  to  vindicate  truth.  On  the  31st, 
rode  to  Scarborough. 

On  the  last  of  January,  and  first  of  February,  we  had 


LIFE   OF   ELDER   MARK    FERNALD.  189 

extremely  cold  weather,  as  cold  as  was  ever  known  in  York 
and  Cumberland  counties. 

February  1st,  I  rode  from  the  north  east  part  of  Scar- 
borough to  Portland  ;  the  thermometer  stood  at  twenty-four 
degrees  below  zero.  I  remained  in  Portland  several  days, 
and  preached  to  the  people.  On  the  6th,  went  to  Gray. 
Several  had  professed  conversion,  but  they  with  their 
minister  refused  to  attend  meeting  with  any  other  denomi- 
nation. Their  motto  seemed  to  be — self,  right, — all 
others,  wrong.  Visited  New  Gloucester,  and  found  a 
good  revival  among  the  Congregationalists,  and  those 
called  Calvinist  Baptists.  Preached  at  Windham  ;  thence 
to  Gorham,  and  on  the  13th,  preached  at  the  free  meeting 
house,  but  surely  I  had  bondage,  though  there  was  some 
good  in  the  meeting.  On  the  14th,  I  preached  again  in 
Portland.  The  brethren  were  some  revived,  and  one  or 
two  were  brought  to  Christ.  15th,  rode  to  Newfield; 
16th,  to  Ossipee.  I  then  visited  and  preached  in  various 
places,  and  saw  some  good  done.  Returned  home  on  the 
28th,  and  found  the  brethren  some  revived. 

March  commenced  with  a  storm.  It  was  very  sickly, 
and  I  considered  it  my  duty  to  be  much  with  the  sick,  and 
felt  spiritual  life  in  so  doing.  On  the  9th,  forty-two  years 
of  my  life  ended,  which  caused  me  to  reflect  seriously  on 
the  journey  of  life.  I  felt  desirous  to  live  righteously 
before  God,  and  be  useful  to  men.  On  the  20th,  we  had 
a  severe  thunder  storm.  On  the  22d,  attended  the  burial 
of  Martha  Jones,  at  the  toll-house  at  Portsmouth  bridge. 
She  died  very  happy,  and  being  a  stranger,  I  requested 
Christians  to  follow  as  mourners. 

I  saw  a  spirit  of  division   increasing  among  us,  which 


190  LIFE    OF   ELDER  MARK   FERNALD. 

grieved  me.  0,  the  deadly  effects  of  dishonesty  and 
unfaithfuhiess  among  professed  believers  in  Christ  ;  what 
discord  it  sows,  and  what  division  it  makes ;  and  Chris- 
tianity must  bear  the  blame. 

April  12th5  I  preached  thrice  at  Portsmouth  and  bap- 
tized. It  was  a  solemn  day.  Visited  Salisbury  Point, 
and  found  about  thirty  converts ;  preached  several  times ; 
baptized  five  ;  had  an  interesting  interview  with  brother 
A.  Jones  ;  saw  a  pompous  masonic  burial,  and  felt  to  bless 
the  Lord  that  I  was  ever  counted  worthy  to  be  a  Christian. 
Let  me  keep  on  the  whole  armor  of  God  and  fight  the  good 
fight. 

May.  I  preached  from  place  to  place,  but  mostly  at 
home  until  the  25th,  when  I  started  on  a  journey.  On 
the  19th,  we  organized  a  Sabbath  School.  I  made  sev- 
eral short  excursions  to  sea  for  my  own  health,  for  the 
health  of  those  who  accompanied  me,  and  for  a  few  fishes. 

In  visiting  a  few  churches  I  found  them  and  their 
preachers  too  low.  I  went  in  an  indirect  route  to  Gilman- 
ton,  and  on  the  26th  met  the  New  Hampshire  conference 
at  Loudon.  We  had  a  good  session,  and  saw  several 
preachers  from  New  York  and  Massachusetts.  The  meet- 
ings in  connection  with  the  conference  were  good.  Al- 
though we  met  from  different  sections  of  country,  and  some 
were  strangers,  yet  we  felt  it  was  '^  good  to  dwell  together 
in  unity,"  and  felt  a  foretaste  of  what  we  had  in  prospect, 
a  heaven  of  enjoyment. 

June  1st,  I  preached  at  Gilmanton,  and  truly  the  Lord 
was  with  us.  On  the  2d,  preached  in  Canterbury,  and 
after  visiting  the  people  called  Shakers,  I  returned  to  Lou- 
don and  had  a  good  solemn  meeting,     I  then  returned 


LIFE    OF   ELDER   MARK    FERNALD.  191 

home,  and  on  the  7th,  heard  Elder  Stinchfield  preach.  On 
the  11th,  Elder  Stinchfield  and  myself  preached,  and  at 
6  o'clock,  P.  M.,  heard  an  honest  Baptist  preach  incon- 
sistencies, but  prudence  forbade  mj  opposing  him. 

On  the  12th,  I  started  on  a  journey  East.  Preached 
at  Kennebunk,  thence  to  Portland,  and  thence  to  Dur- 
ham, Maine.  On  the  16th,  I  preached  in  Wells,  where 
there  was  a  glorious  reformation  ;  sixty  or  more  had  been 
converted.  17th,  I  was  at  Monmouth.  The  Maine  con- 
ference was  held  there  on  the  17th,  18th,  and  19th.  Fif- 
teen preachers  were  present,  and  among  them  was  J.  L. 
Peavey  from  New  York,  formerly  of  Farmington,  New 
Hampshire.  On  the  18th,  the  place  was  too  strait  for  us, 
and  we  were  compelled  to  repair  to  an  orchard  for  room, 
where  S.  Rand,  J.  L.  Peavey  and  MarkFernald  preached, 
after  which  I  rode  six  miles  and  preached  freely  to  a  free 
meeting.  That  was  a  good  day.  On  the  19th,  James  W. 
Holman  was  ordained,  by  request  of  his  friends  at  Pal- 
myra and  the  church  at  Eastport.  Returning,  I  preached 
in  Wales,  thence  in  Gray  and  New  Gloucester.  The  Lord 
helped,  and  the  people  helped  me  also.  Thence  to  Wind- 
ham. I  preached  also  in  Gorham,  Scarborough  and  Wells, 
North  Village.  Very  hot,  dry  weather  came  on,  and 
continued  for  a  season,  which  bUghted  the  prospects  of  the 
husbandman,  and  the  grasshoppers  seemed  to  be  destroy- 
ing everything  green. 

July  1st.  I  returned  home  ;  and  on  the  4th,  being  the 
fiftieth  anniversary  of  American  independence,  we  had  a 
meeting,  when  I  spoke  on  the  Jewish  jubilee,  or  fiftieth 
year,  the  year  of  release.  I  preached  and  visited  daily, 
and  labored  some  with  my  carpenter's  tools,  until  the  20th, 


192  LIFE   OF   ELDER  MARK   FERNALD. 

■when,  according  to  previous  engagement,  I  started  for 
Wolfborough,  and  the  hill  countrj.  Found  the  cause  of 
religion,  or  rather  religious  feeling,  very  low,  and  the 
people  very  much  disheartened  by  reason  of  the  drought. 
I  tarried  a  few  days  in  Wolfborough,  and  in  different  parts 
of  the  town,  having  large,  solemn  meetings,  and  good 
appeared  to  be  done.  On  the  23d,  the  friends  contributed 
to  supply  my  wants,  which  was  the  first  public  contribution 
of  money  I  had  ever  had  in  that  part  of  New  Hampshire 
for  fifteen  years.  I  felt  to  thank  the  Lord,  and  the  people, 
for  that.  26th,  visited  Farmington,  and  there  met  and 
parted  with  my  beloved  brother  J.  L.  Peavey  and  wife, 
who  then  started  for  New  York.  I  then  returned  home, 
preaching  at  South  Berwick  by  the  way. 

August  1st,  I  went  to  Haverhill,  Massachusetts,  and 
preached  at  evening.  On  the  2d,  met  in  council,  at  the 
house  of  Deacon  Nichols,  after  which  we  proceeded  to 
ordain  brother  Henry  Plummer  to  the  work  of  the  gospel 
ministry.  Moses  Howe  preached,  M.  Fernald  offered  the 
ordaining  prayer,  others  assisting.  After  returning  home, 
I  preached  mostly  in  Kittery  during  the  month,  occasion- 
ally going  into  adjoining  towns,  and  attended  the  dedication 
of  a  meeting  house  at  Elliot.  On  the  21st  and  22d,  we 
had  a  visit  from  brother  A.  C.  Morrison,  then  just  from 
Ohio,  who  preached  well ;  we  had  a  good  season. 

September  3d,  I  preached  thrice  and  baptized  one. 
Continued  as  usual  in  my  ministerial  duties.  Attended 
several  burials,  among  which  was  that  of  a  promising 
youth  at  York,  when  I  preached  on  death,  judgment, 
and  a  preparation  for  heaven.  I  believe  good  was  done. 
On  the  11th,  we  sustained  the  loss  of  our  first  born  son. 


LIFE    OF   ELDER   MARK    FERNALD.  193 

111  view  of  the  uncertainty  of  everything  earthly,  and  the 
wickedness  that  abounded,  I  felt  alarmed.  Profaneness  had 
become  a  crying  sin.  On  the  26th,  I  went  to  New  Dur- 
ham. 27th  and  28th,  attended  a  general  meeting  at  Alton. 
Much  people  attended,  and  the  truth  in  power  reached 
many  hearts.  On  the  30th  of  September,  and  1st  of 
October,  I  attended  another  general  meeting,  holden  at 
Gilford,  which  was  good  and  verv  profitable.  The  people 
manifested  an  interest  in  these  meetings. 

October  2d,  I  went  to  Meredith,  and  had  a  solemn  time 
in  preaching  at  evening ;  4th  and  5th,  attended  a  general 
meeting  at  Tuftonborough.  We  had  good  praying  and 
good  and  faithful  preaching  and  exhortations.  The  Lord 
was  evidently  with  us  by  His  Spirit  and  there  was  great 
seriousness  on  the  minds  of  the  people.  At  Wolfborough 
I  found  some  seeking  the  Lord.  On  the  9th,  I  preached 
in  Milton.  After  returning  home,  I  devoted  my  time  to 
the  cause  around  me.  On  the  29th,  preached  thrice  in 
York.  Good  was  done,  although  Christ's  enemies  made 
some  disturbance  at  evening,  but  that  is  nothing  uncom- 
mon, for  "they  are  of  their  father,  the  Devil,  and  his  works 
they  will  do." 

November  3d,  J.  Holman  preached  to  us.  6th,  I 
preached  at  a  burial,  it  being  the  fifth  that  had  died  in  the 
family  in  the  short  space  of  thirty  months.  Some  signs  of 
a  revival  among  the  people.  On  the  8th,  went  to  Hamp- 
ton, heard  C.  Colman  preach.  Found  about  thirty  con- 
verts there.  Visited  Haverhill,  where  I  preached  freely 
and  closely.  Preached  at  Bradford  and  Newbury,  where 
I  believed  the  Lord  helped  me.     At  Salisbury  Point  some 

had  been  converted  under  the  labors  of  J.  Holman.    I  had 
17 


194  LIFE    OF   ELDER  MARK   FERNALD. 

good  help  in  preaching,  and  two  found  peace  in  the  after- 
noon. Twenty  or  more  exhortations  were  delivered  in 
spirit  and  power.  Preached  in  Hampton  Falls.  Returned 
home  to  labor  as  well  as  I  knew  how.  28th,  H.  Smith 
from  New  York,  preached  to  us.  On  the  30th,  w^as  our 
State  Thanksgiving,  I  preached  in  two  sections  of  the 
town,  and  God  vfas  with  us. 

In  December  I  began  to  hope  we  should  see  a  revival 
of  religion  ;  but  on  the  10th,  I  had  a  sorely  trying  day  in 
my  mind,  and  could  not  conceive  the  cause.  My  soul 
seemed  to  be  in  deep  waters.  The  next  evening,  however, 
I  found  it  to  be  cruel,  unjust  opposition  from  professors, 
"while  I  also  had  a  view  of  Zion's  scattered  state.  I  felt 
astonished  to  think  some  professors  thought  to  go  to  heav- 
en with  such  cruel,  angry  and  hard  feelings ;  with  preju- 
dice, without  any  just  cause.  I  felt  sickened  with  the  un- 
faithfulness and  deception  of  mankind.  On  the  12th,  and 
13th,  brother  Howe  preached  to  us.  Preached  and  prayed 
day  after  day,  and  on  the  23d,  visited  a  dying  young  man, 
who  was  without  hope  in  God.  How  important  to  live  to 
the  Lord  and  die  in  faith.  A  miserable  time  is  a  dying 
hour  for  repentance.  Another  year  is  ended  ;  many  dur- 
ing the  year  have  gone  to  the  grave,  some  prepared,  and 
some  unprepared. 

•'  Lord  open  sinners'  eyes, 
Their  awlul  state  to  see  ; 
And  may  they,  ere  the  storm  arise, 
To  thee  for  safety  flee." 


LIFE    OF   ELDER   MARK    FERNALD.  "  195 


CHAPTER  XV. 

SEVERE   TRIALS — ASA    MERRILL    ORDAINED — CHURCH    OR- 
GANIZED AT  RYE,  NEW  HAMPSHIRE J.  T.  G.  COLBY  AND 

J.  FLANDERS    ORDAINED — TOUR   TO   NEW  YORK — UNITED 
"states    conference  —  ITEM   ON   DISCIPLINE — J.    DAVIS 

AND  T.  COLE  ORDAINED MEETING   AT  LEBANON,  AND  P. 

REYNOLDS  ORDAINED A  REVIVAL  AT  KITTERY. 

1827.  January  4th,  by  request,  I  preached  at  New 
Castle,  on  gathering  a  church,  and  on  the  9th,  with  brother 
Moses  Howe,  organized  a  church  there.  I  had  some  good 
meetings,  but  had  a  mixture  of  joy  and  sorrow.  Satan 
was  wide  awake,  and  I  was  led  to  think  that  the  uncon- 
verted had  ceased  their  opposition  and  persecution,  and 
professors  had  become  persecutors  through  blind  prejudice. 
My  trials  were  sore  with  those  who  made  great  profession 
to  godliness.  On  the  29th,  I  set  out  on  another  journey, 
but  a  blocking  snow  fell  and  detained  me  at  ElUot  two 
days. 

February  1st,  I  went  to  Somersworth,  and  on  the  2d, 
to  Middleton,  where  I  was  requested  to  preach.  I  stopped 
and  preached  freely  and  pointedly  ;  the  people  were  sol- 
emn, and  the  word  had  good  effect.  Within  ten  days  the 
man  and  woman  of  the  house  where  I  spoke,  were  both 


196  LIFE   OP   ELDER  MARK    FERNALD. 

converted.  On  the  3d,  we  had  a  powerful  meeting  in  the 
south  part  of  Wolfborough,  and  on  the  4th,  preached 
thrice,  and  several  added  their  testimony,  for  in  those 
times,  those  "  that  believed  in  their  hearts  unto  righteous- 
ness, confessed  with  their  months  unto  salvation,"  "  work- 
ing out  what  God  worked  in  both  to  will  and  to  do  of  his 
good  pleasure,"  "  paying  their  vows  unto  the  Lord  before 
all  his  people."  The  work  of  reformation  had  been  grad- 
ually progressing  in  Tuftonborough  since  our  general  meet- 
ing, which  was  held  there  in  October.  I  preached  there 
several  times,  and  saw  the  glory  of  God.  On  the  11th, 
I  held  a  meeting  in  the  north-west  part  of  the  town,  which 
was  a  severe  cold  and  blustering  day,  and  the  roads  were 
very  much  blocked  with  snow,  yet  a  crowd  came  together, 
many  coming  from  quite  a  distance.  One  man  brought  a 
part  of  his  family  on  a  sled  with  oxen  four  miles,  facing 
the  wind,  and  after  meeting,  the  good  woman  who  came  so 
far  on  the  sled,  was  baptized.  The  Lord  blessed  us  that 
day.  The  roads  were  blocked  up  almost  every  other  day, 
yet  the  people  took  uncommon  pains  to  keep  them  open  so 
that  they  could  attend  meeting.  On  the  20th,  I  baptized 
again.  After  preaching  many  times  in  Wolfborough, 
Tuftonborough,  and  Ossipee,  sometimes  crying  aloud,  and 
seeing  much  good  done,  I  returned  to  Middleton,  and  by 
urgent  request  preached  to  the  people.  I  returned  home 
on  the  28th,  and  found  some  turning  to  the  Lord.  That 
journey,  and  the  labors  connected  with  it,  afforded  me  and 
many  others,  much  spiritual  good.  My  wife  was  a  great 
help  in  meetings  by  her  exhortations  and  songs  of  praise. 

March  1st.     I  met  the  people  and  brother  John  Booth- 
by,  who  had   been  with  them  about  ten  days.     We  held 


LIFE   OF   ELDER  MARK   FERNALD.  197 

meetings  daily,  and  sa^y  some  converted.  On  the  9tli, 
fortj-three  years  of  my  frail,  short  hfe  closed.  I  had 
never  known  a  time  after  my  commencing  to  preach,  that 
satan,  through  men,  and  those  too  who  professed  rehgion, 
had  tried  so  hard  to  destroy  me.  A  few,  who  had  some 
influence,  wished  to  have  me  out  of  the  way.  My  soul 
waded  through  deep  waters  or  sore  trials,  by  reason  of 
false  or  backslidden  brethren.  Much  of  the  time  during 
this  month  I  was  severely  tried,  and  very  much  depressed. 
I  bore  all  I  thought  the  Lord  required,  and  even  more, 
and  then  concluded  to  arise  in  the  greatness  of  His  strength, 
and  labor  with  transgressors.  I  was  determined  to  over- 
come prejudice  by  truth  and  love.  Brother  Boothby 
remained  with  us,  and  the  revival  spread  in  different  parts 
of  the  town.  On  the  11th,  I  preached  in  York,  and  saw 
all  the  brethren  and  all  the  people,  save  five  adults  and 
some  small  children,  arise  to  manifest  their  desire  for  a 
revival  of  the  work  of  the  Lord,  and  to  try  to  have  a  share 
in  it. 

April  1st.  Met  with  brother  J.  T.  G.  Colby,  at  York, 
where  we  both  preached.  The  good  work  of  the  Lord  was 
revived  in  York,  also  in  New  Castle  ;  several  were  con- 
verted in  both  places.  In  Kittery,  reformations  went  on. 
Our  meetings  were  good,  and  this  raised  me  much  in  my 
feelings.  While  some  backsUd  and  others  opposed,  the 
work  of  God  was  going  on.  I  could  thank  God  and  take 
courage. 

In  May,  we  were  rejoiced  by  accessions  to  Zion's   ranks. 

On  the   9th,  I  preached  twice  at  Stratham,  N.  H.,  and 

assisted  in  the  ordination  of  brother  Asa  Merrill.     On  the 

13th,  preached  at  York,  and  several  bowed  to  Christ  and 
17* 


198  LIFE   OF   ELDER   MARK   FERNALD. 

cried  for  mercy.  17th,  preached  at  Rje,  N.  H.,  and 
organized  a  church.  21st,  went  to  Newton,  and  22d,  to 
Haverhill,  to  sit  in  a  council.  On  the  21th,  I  preached 
at  Elder  N.  Piper's,  8tratham.  On  the  25th,  the  New 
Ilampshire  conference  convened  at  the  house  of  Elder 
William  Demeritt,  Durham,  N.  H.  Many  met,  and  the 
Lord  blessed  us  in  very  deed.  Elder  Elias  Smith  made 
another  humble  and  tender  acknowledgement  of  his  depar- 
ture from  the  truth  to  Universalism.  We  held  our  public 
meetings  at  the  Falls  or  Village.  The  meetings  continued 
three  days.  On  the  27th,  and  last  day  of  the  meeting, 
brethren  John  T.  G.  Colby  and  John  Flanders  were 
ordained  to  the  work  of  the  gospel  ministry.  In  the 
evening  I  preached  in  the  Methodist  meeting  house  at 
Dover. 

June  15th.  I  was  called  from  home  to  visit  some  sea- 
faring men,  who  had  heard  me  a  few  days  before,  and  who 
had  become  very  much  distressed  in  soul. 

Saw  some  of  the  glory  of  God  displayed  in  the  awaken- 
ing of  sinners,  in  Kittery  and  York.  On  the  19th,  I  went 
to  Lebanon,  and  on  the  20th,  and  21st,  attended  a  gen- 
eral meeting  at  Milton,  N.  H.  We  had  a  good  season  ; 
the  word  had  good  effect,  and  two  were  baptized.  I  visited 
Brookfield,  Tuftonborough,  and  Wolf  borough,  and  preached 
several  times,  not  always  with  my  usual  freedom ;  but  some 
of  my  meetings  were  very  profitable,  I  think.  On  the 
24th,  after  preaching  twice,  I  baptized  two  sisters,  and  at 
sunset  baptized  again.     I  returned  home  on  the  29th. 

July  1st,  I  attended  three  meetings.  Brother  E. 
Stinchfield  was  with  me.  In  his  communication  he  re- 
proved very  sharply  evil  speaking,  hardness  and  prejudice, 


LIFE   OF  ELDER  MARK    FERNALD.  199 

but  with  evident  meaning,  lie  bore  bard  on  driving  people 
to  heaven,  lording  it  over  God's  heritage,  &c.  I  visited 
Rye,  and  Hampton,  New  Hampshire,  and  Salisbury,  Mas- 
sachusetts. At  Hampton  I  tarried  with  brother  Garland, 
who  had  eleven  children,  eight  of  whom  had  been  con- 
verted within  a  few  days.  The  parents  were  almost  over- 
powered with  joy. 

On  the  8th,  I  baptized  two  at  Kittery.  On  the  19th, 
preached  to  a  large  congregation  at  Elhot,  and  then  bap- 
tized two.  I  preached  as  much  as  once  a  day  during  the 
month,  which  was  my  custom,  and  visited  sick  and  Avell, 
day  and  night.  The  cause  of  truth  flourished  some,  and 
I  met  with  but  little  opposition  in  any  place,  except  South 
Berwick.  I  was  disturbed  some  by  a  rum  man.  Truth 
began  to  be  triumphant. 

August  1st,  I  went  to  Portsmouth  to  visit  the  sick  and 
dying,  and  on  the  2d,  attended  the  opening  of  a  new  meet- 
ing house  at  Sahsbury  Point.  It  was  a  good  day,  and 
some  brethren  and  sisters  improved  their  gifts,  endeavoring 
to  consecrate  themselves,  with  their  new  house,  to  the  Lord. 
As  I  was  about  to  visit  New  York,  they  contributed  four 
dollars  and  fifty  cents,  to  assist  me.  On  the  3d,  I 
returned  to  Kittery,  and  attended  the  burial  of  T.  Man- 
son  and  his  wife,  who  were  both  interred  in  one  grave.  It 
was  a  solemn  season,  and  rendered  more  so  from  the  fact 
of  his  dying  of  that  much  dreaded  and  distressing  disease, 
a  cancer ;  and  his  wife  died  in  a  state  of  derangement  of 
mind. 

On  the  7th,  I  left  for  the  state  of  New  York,  to  preach 
the  word,  and  attend  the  New  York  Western  conference,  at 
Royalton.     I  felt  the  most  tried  in  my  mind  on  leaving 


200  LIFE   OF   ELDER  MARK    FERNALD. 

home  at  that  time  that  I  ever  did.  I  proceeded  to  Ha- 
verhill, and  preached  at  evening.  On  the  8th,  went  to 
Boston,  and  sailed  for  New  York  citj  that  night.  The 
winds  being  hght,  we  only  reached  Race  Point,  off  Cape 
Cod,  on  the  evening  of  the  9th.  On  the  10th,  we  ran 
over  the  shoals,  and  at  8  o'clock  passed  Martha's  Vine- 
yard. On  the  11th,  we  reached  what  is  called  the  Sow 
and  Pigs,  but  a  heavy  south-west  wind  coming  on,  we 
with  ten  other  sail  of  vessels,  had  to  put  back  to  Tarpaulin 
Cove.  12th,  by  request,  I  went  on  shore  and  preached  at 
Johnson's  tavern  ;  had  a  good,  serious  meeting.  Just  as  I 
closed,  the  wind  became  favorable,  and  in  an  hour  we 
were  all  under  way.  Thus  the  Lord  favored  us.  13th, 
we  made  one  hundred  miles  in  eleven  hours,  and  beat  to 
windward  a  part  of  the  way  too.  14th,  it  being  almost 
calm,  I  visited  Long  Island,  and  in  the  afternoon  we 
passed  Hurl  Gate,  and  arrived  at  New  York  city  at  6 
o'clock.  On  the  15th,  I  took  passage  in  a  steamer.  We 
made  about  eight  miles  per  hour,  including  the  stopping 
places.  On  the  16th,  I  arrived  at  Albany,  thence  took 
stage  to  Schenectady,  and  about  2  o'clock  took  passage  on 
the  Buffalo  Canal.  I  had  the  privilege  of  engaging  in 
prayer  with  the  passengers,  and  on  the  Lord's  day  I  en- 
joyed prayer  and  singing.  After  seeing  many  things 
worthy  of  note,  and  passing  many  pleasant  and  flourishing 
villages,  I  reached  Royalton  on  the  21st,  at  2  o'clock,  P. 
M.,  having  been  fourteen  days  and  a  half  on  my  route, 
which  was  circuitous,  having  traveled  about  nine  hundred 
and  thirty  miles. 

I  found  myself  in  good  health,  and  some  grateful  when 
I  arrived  at  Royalton.     I  there  met  my  beloved  brother, 


LIFE    OF   ELDER  MARK   FERNALD.  201 

Elder  Elijah  Shaw,  and  his  family.  On  the  22d,  I  preached, 
and  on  the  23d,  the  conference  commenced.  About  forty 
preachers  came  together.  The  conference  continued  until 
the  2oth,  but  there  was  preaching  once  each  day  or  eve- 
ning. That  conference  being  large,  and  the  members  liv- 
ing at  a  great  distance  from  each  other,  it  was  thought  best 
to  divide  it  and  make  two.  Some  of  the  preachers 
belonged  to  Canada. 

On  the  26th,  there  were  four  sermons  preached,  and 
three  young  men  ordained  to  the  work  of  the  gospel  min  - 
istry.  I  had  good  freedom  in  speaking,  and  occupied 
about  two  hours.  Sarah  Hodges,  a  female  laborer, 
preached  in  the  evening. 

On  the  27th,  I  attended  the  burial  of  an  aged  believer. 
It  was  quite  sickly  at  that  time,  and  notwithstanding  the 
richness  and  fertility  of  the  soil,  I  thought  "  home  was 
home,"  for  from  the  climate,  water,  or  some  cause,  I  met 
but  few  persons  of  a  healthy  countenance.  On  the  28th, 
I  rode  with  brother  ShaAv  to  Lewiston,  which  is  opposite 
Queenstown,  Upper  Canada.  I  looked  on  the  great  On- 
tario Lake,  as  well  as  the  monument  of  Gen.  Brock,  who 
fell  in  battle,  and  could  but  reflect  on  the  miseries  of  war 
on  the  one  hand,  and  the  goodness  of  God  on  the  other, 
and  I  exclaimed,  away  with  war  and  death,  and  preach 
life  and  salvation  to  mankind.  I  left  the  place  reluctantly, 
but  knew  of  no  way  to  get  up  a  meeting,  having  no  time 
to  stop  to  give  notice.  We  then  proceeded  to  see  the 
wonderful  and  mighty  works  of  God,  at  Niagara  Falls. 
We  descended  to  the  bottom  of  these  Falls,  and  after  won- 
dering at  the  works  of  our  Father  in  heaven,  we  picked 
up  a  few  stones,  like  Joshua's  men  in  Jordan,  and  then 


202  LIFE    OF   ELDER   MARK    FERNALD. 

ascended  to  the  face  of  the  earth  again.  0  !  the  wonders 
of  our  God — His  works  and  ways,  who  can  find  them  out  ? 
Let  the  inhabitants  of  the  earth  know  Him,  and  delight  in 
His  works  of  nature  and  of  grace. 

29th,  we  visited  the  Tuscarora  Indians,  who  appeared 
very  well  and  industrious.  We  went  into  their  school  and 
heard  some  boys  read  quite  plainly,  and  promised  fair.  I 
did  not  attempt  to  preach,  as  I  had  no  interpreter,  which 
would  have  been  necessary. 

September  2d,  I  preached  three  times  to  large  assem- 
blies, and  then  parted  with  them,  no  more  to  meet  on 
earth.  On  the  3d,  started  with  brother  Shaw  for  West 
Bloomfield,  Ontario  county,  to  attend  the  United  States 
conference.  We  stopped  at  several  places  and  preached, 
and  arrived  at  West  Bloomfield  on  the  7th.  The  confer- 
ence continued  until  the  10th,  but  it  was  not  a  pleasant 
session  in  consequence  of  some  who  wished  to  depart  from 
our  old  rule,  which  was,  on  all  subjects  to  appeal  to  the 
New  Testament.  I  had  unexpected  liberty  in  speaking, 
and  on  the  9th,  from  fifteen  hundred  to  two  thousand  per- 
sons assembled  in  the  woods,  where  seats  were  arranged 
and  a  stand  prepared.  The  people  generally  were  can- 
did and  attentive.  S.  Clough,  C.  Martin,  and  M.  Fer- 
nald  preached.  On  the  11th,  I  met  with  several  preach- 
ers at  the  house  of  Brother  D.  Millard,  to  take  council. 

Proceeded  to  Canandaigua,  where  was  the  famous  jail 
from  which  it  was  said  Captain  William  Morgan  was 
decoyed  and  destroyed  for  divulging  masonry.  But  a 
little  distance  from  there  I  saw  one  of  those  old  wondrous 
forts,  of  the  origin  of  which  we  have  no  history,  and  know 
not  what  race  of  beings  formed   them.     How  numerous 


LIFE   OF  ELDER  MARK    FERNALD.  203  " 

have  been  the  creatures  to  whom  God  has  given  Hfe.  I 
stopped  at  Seneca,  and  passed  an  old  orchard  of  apple 
trees  planted  bj  the  Indians,  two,  three,  or  four  together 
— Indian-fashion,  without  regularity.  I  went  to  Auburn 
and  visited  the  State  Prison.  There  were  four  hundred 
and  eighty  convicts,  some  of  all  ages,  from  the  sprightly 
youth  to  the  man  of  hoary  hairs.  Some  imprisoned  for 
life,  never  more  to  go  out  into  the  world  and  enjoy  the 
society  of  their  friends,  and  all  shut  up  within  the  massive 
walls  and  iron  gates  of  a  gloomy  prison,  and  that  too  for 
crimes  which  they  had  done.  Lord,  pity  them,  and  keep 
me  from  a  crime  deserving  such  a  place. 

On  the  13th,  I  preached  at  Brutus  ;  (now  Sennett ;) 
the  word  had  a  solemn  effect,-  and  the  old  brethren  were 
quickened.  I  met  several  who  had  known  me  years  before, 
in  New  Hampshire.  On  the  14th,  I  preached  at  Camil- 
lus  and  had  much  assistance  of  the  Lord.  Four  preach- 
ers were  present.  I  felt  much  at  home  with  a  brother  Cox, 
and  also  with  brother  W.  Dunn,  formerly  't)f  the  Christian 
Church  at  Boston.  He  retained  his  zeal  for  pure  rehgion 
and  true  worship.  I  was  deeply  grieved  to  see  the  preach- 
ers in  the  Western  country,  conforming  to  wordly  wor- 
ship ;  I  feared  the  consequence,  which  is  spiritual  death.  On 
the  15th,  I  attended  a  general  meeting  at  Sennett  with 
several  other  preachers.  Elder  James  Andrews,  from  Ohio, 
preached  from  Romans  xiv  :  17,  and  Elder  Joseph  Black- 
marr  from  Isaiah  xxviii  :  16.  Some  others,  and  my- 
self, exhorted.  It  was  a  good  day  ;  the  preachers  spoke 
well  and  the  people  felt  the  word.  16th,  the  meeting  was 
held  in  the  Pine  Woods,  so  called,  and  the  Lord  helped 
indeed.     J.  Andrews,  E.  Shaw,  H.  Sullings,  and  M.  Fer- 


204  LIFE   OF   ELDER   MARK    FERNALD. 

nald  preached,  after  which  we  ordained  David  Wade  to 
the  office  of  an  Elder.  I  then  parted  with  my  ministering 
brethren,  among  whom  was  my  beloved  brother  Elijah 
Shaw.  I  had  been  in  company  with  him  about  four  weeks 
at  that  time.  I  saw  and  felt  the  need  of  laborers  in  that 
region.  I  preached  among  the  Presbyterians,  Baptists, 
and  Free  Believers.  I  had  not  seen  such  a  meeting  for 
a  long  time  as  we  had  on  the  17th,  and  many  will  remem- 
ber James  i :  27.  On  the  20th,  I  went  to  Plainfield,  to 
doctor  Henry  Clark's ;  but  not  finding  him  at  home,  I 
called  on  Elder  Maxon,  of  the  Seventh  Day  Baptist  order. 
I  met  with  several  of  their  preachers,  and  found  their  gen- 
eral conference  was  about  to  commence  at  Brookfield. 
Proceeding  a  few  miles  farther,  I  found  a  good  home 
at  brother  Samuel  Trett's.  Having  a  desire  to  attend 
the  conference  of  the  Seventh  Day  Baptists  on  the  21st, 
brother  Trett  conveyed  J.  Hollister  and  myself  to  Brook- 
field.  I  was  requested  to  preach,  and  there  seemed  to  be 
no  objections  among  the  preachers,  but  the  moderator,  a 
doctor,  considered  it  imposition,  and  advised  them  to  keep 
their  ground,  which  disaffected  some  minds,  so  much  so 
that  not  more  than  fifty  attended  their  meeting  in  the 
evening,  although  in  a  village.  I  went  to  hear  their  man 
preach,  but  he  was  so  embarrassed  that  I  thought  he  would 
stop  several  times. 

I  found  a  very  different  spirit  from  the  same  order  in 
Rhode  Island.  Feeling  that  I  had  no  home  there,  on  the 
22d,  I  went  to  Plainfield,  and  the  Lord  of  strength  helped 
me  preach  His  truth.  23d,  attended  a  general  meeting  at 
Exeter.  Ira  Brown,  John  Hollister,  and  Mark  Fernald 
preached.     The  Lord  gave   the  word  to  us,  under  which 


LIFE   OF   ELDER   MARK  FERNALD.  205 

man  J  wept,  and  some  were  wounded,  while  the  saints  re- 
joiced. At  the  close,  they  contributed  four  dollars  to  help 
us  on  our  way. 

On  the  25th,  I  went  to  Albany.  I  had  contemplated  a 
visit  to  New  York  city,  and  thence  to  Philadelphia  ;  but 
the  season  appeared  unfavorable,  and  I  concluded  to  return 
home.  I  took  stage  and  proceeded  direct  to  Boston,  thence 
to  Portsmouth.  I  reached  home  on  the  evening  of  the 
28th.  I  found  my  friends  well,  and  was  not  a  little  grate- 
ful to  God.  I  was  absent  fifty-three  days,  traveled  about 
sixteen  hundred  miles,  at  an  expense  of  less  than  fifty  dollars. 

October  7th.  Brother  Colby  and  myself  preached  at 
York,  and  baptized,  and  on  the  13th,  baptized  two  at 
Kittery.  There  was  some  revival  spirit  in  Kittery  and 
York,  where  I  held  many  meetings,  and  had  the  assistance 
of  brothers  Colby  and  S.  Swett.  Difficulties  existed  in 
some  measure  as  they  had  for  months,  among  us,  the  par- 
ticulars of  which  I  have  recorded  and  left  among  my  papers 
to  be  preserved. 

In  November,  I  labored  mostly  in  Kittery  and  York, 
save  one  visit  to  Kensington,  N.  H.  On  the  25th,  a 
second  son  was  born  unto  us. 

December  was  spent  in  very  much  the  same  manner  as 

November,  and  one  of  the  most  trying  years  of  my  life 

closed.     I  knew  I  had  suffered  somewhat  for  Christ's  sake, 

while  my  great  object  among  my  fellow  citizens  was  to  do 

them  good.     I  committed  my  case  to  my  God,  feeling  that 

I  was  his  servant  and  safe  in  his  hands. 

•'  iSiiice  all  that  I  meet  shall  work  for  my  good, 
The  bitter  is  sweet,  the  medicine  is  food ; 
Though  painful  at  present,  'l  will  cease  before  loiig. 
And  then  0  how  pleasant  the  conqueror's  song." 
18 


206  LIFE    OF   ELDER   MARK    FERNALD. 

1828.  January  1st,  was  a  trying  day  to  us.  Our  little 
son,  whom  we  had  named  after  our  beloved  brother,  John 
Colby,  quietly  fell  asleep  in  death.  I  never  prized  the 
word  of  God's  truth  more  than  then.  Had  some  good 
meetings  during  the  month.  On  the  28th,  Mr.  Joseph 
Litchfield  died,  who  had  been  a  preacher  in  Kittery  about 
half  a  centurj^  He  had  been  ordained  forty-six  years. 
On  the  31st,  attended  with  others  at  his  burial.  It  was  a 
solemn  day.     He  was  the  preacher  of  the  upper  parish. 

As  intemperance  abounded  very  much,  on  the  30th,  we 
held  a  meeting  to  consider  the  matter.  I  read,  exhorted, 
and  advised.  We  formed  a  society,  and  about  twenty 
pledged  themselves  to  abstain  from  the  common  use  of 
ardent  spirits^  unless  taken  for  a  medicine.  January 
was  an  extremely  cold  month,  while  a  part  of  February 
was  very  warm. 

In  February,  I  labored  constantly  ;  spent  much  time  in 
visiting  the  sick  and  afflicted  in  York,  Kittery,  and  Ports- 
mouth. Attended  an  uncommon  number  of  burials  for  one 
month.  It  was  quite  sickly.  I  labored  to  do  all  I  could 
for  the  souls  and  bodies  of  my  fellow-men,  and  felt  that 
God  was  with  me. 

March  5th.  Brother  J.  T.  G.  Colby  united  with  me  in 
a  good  meeting,  and  on  the  6th,  had  a  really  glorious 
season  of  reviving,  in  a  meeting  at  the  north  of  Kittery. 
The  9th  closed  the  forty-fourth  year  of  my  life  ;  and  in 
view  of  what  I  had  passed  through,  I  preached  from  1 
Samuel  vii:  12:  "Hitherto  hath  the  Lord  helped  us." 
On  the  11th,  I  attended  town  meeting,  which  I  had  not 
done  before  for  about  twenty  years.  I  went  then  for  some 
religious  purpose.     I  preached  frequently  in  the  adjoining 


LIFE   OF   ELDER  MARK    FERNALD.  207 

towns.  Notwithstanding  some  had  left  us,  and  gone  out 
from  us,  some  others  united  with  us,  and  on  the  last  days 
of  the  month,  our  meetings  seemed  like  days  of  old. 

In  April,  the  work  of  the  Lord  revived  more  among  us, 
and  also  in  York.  A  messenger  came  after  me  to  go  to 
Salisbury,  Mass.,  and  on  the  7th,  I  went.  Preached 
several  times  there,  and  attended  with  brother  A.  Jones 
to  some  important  business.  More  than  one  hundred  had 
professed  conversion  in  a  few  months.  On  one  evening, 
fourteen  professed  salvation  in  the  Lord.  I  was  pleased 
when  their  house  of  worship  was  opened  in  August  previous, 
and  more  so,  when  I  heard  the  converts'  songin  thatJiouse 
of  Grod.  On  the  8th,  I  went  to  Haverhill,  and  preached 
at  evening.  Several  requested  prayers.  About  thirty 
had  been  converted  there,  and  ten  had  been  baptized  by 
brother  H.  Plummer  on  the  previous  first  day.  Professors 
too  often  rejoice  in  a  revival,  and  wait  to  see  the  Lord 
carry  it  on,  without  trying  to  be  in  a  place  where  they 
may  be  used  as  instruments  in  the  service  of  the  Lord. 
On  the  10th,  I  preached  at  Newbury,  to  a  large  meeting. 
The  gathering,  attentive  hearing  and  solemnity  manifested, 
indicated  the  will  of  Heaven  for  a  revival  there.  The 
people  at  Salisbury  contributed  liberally  for  my  assistance. 

I  returned  home  on  the  loth.  At  evening,  one  soul 
acknowledged  the  Lord.  On  the  18th,  I  was  taken 
violently  ill.  19th,  after  a  restless  night  and  sick  forenoon, 
I  had  some  trial  of  my  faith  and  resolution.  I  was  called 
on  to  attend  a  burial  in  the  afternoon.  I  however  mus- 
tered resolution  and  strength,  and  went,  which  was  as 
much  as  I  could  do ;  but  the  Lord  helped  me  in  the  exer- 
cises, so  much  so  that  I  was  relieved  soul  and  body,  and 


208  LIFE   OF  ELDER  MARK    PERNALD. 

returned  much  better  than  I  went.  Some  might  have 
called  it  presumption,  but  I  called  it  duty,  and  no  harm 
followed.  I  always  found  the  path  of  duty  the  path  of 
safety. 

I  continued  my  labors  in  Kittery,  York,  and  New  Castle. 
Much  good  appeared  to  be  done:  On  the  19th,  went  to 
Boscawen,  and  stopped  at  William  H.  Gage's.  30th,  the 
New  Hampshire  conference  commenced.  The  business  of 
conference  was  done  at  J.  Couch's,  and  public  meetings 
were  held  at  the  meeting  house.  On  the  31st,  many 
attended,  though  rainy.  I  spoke  in  the  forenoon,  and  E. 
Shaw  in  the  afternoon.  It  was  a  good  day.  June  1st, 
H.  Frost,  E.  B.  Rollins,  and  M.  Fernald  preached. 

June  2d,  visited  Loudon  ;  3d,  to  Alton,  and  thence  to 
Wolf  borough.  I  pitied  the  people  when  I  learnt  how  little 
faithful  preaching  they  had.  9th,  I  preached  in  Tufton- 
borough  ;  10th,  at  Moultonborough  Neck.  I  stopped  at 
Mr.  Duncan  W.  Norton's,  who  was  about  one  hundred 
years  of  age,  and  formerly  from  Scotland.  I  preached  in 
his  barn.  He  was  very  active  in  preparing  seats,  and  a 
very  attentive  hearer.  On  the  11th,  I  baptized  at  Tuf- 
tonborough.  During  this  tour,  I  preached  more  than  once 
every  day.  I  preached  in  Ossipee,  and  also  in  Milton, 
and  returned  home  on  the  18th.  Preached  to  the  close 
of  this  month  on  my  old  circuit. 

My  friends  agreed  to  give  me  timber  for  the  frame  of  a 
small  barn,  and  on  July  1st  we  commenced  framing  the 
barn.  We  raised  it,  July  4th,  in  the  morning,  and  being 
Independent  day,  I  held  two  meetings  to  celebrate  the  day. 
Preached  and  labored  as  hard  as  I  could  both  for  myself 
and  the  people.     Had  some  good  seasons. 


LIFE   OF   ELDER   MARK  FERNALD.  209 

In  August,  I  set  about  getting  me  a  dwelling  house. 
On  the  26th5  I  went  to  Lebanon,  where  several  had  been 
converted,  and  attended  a  general  meeting.  Several 
preachers  and  much  people  came  together,  and  we  had  a 
good  season.  When  the  meeting  closed  on  the  27th,  a 
brother  from  Wakefield  was  at  the  door  waiting  for  me  to 
go  to  his  house  to  see  a  worthy  sister  in  the  Lord,  who  was 
very  sick.  I  went,  but  when  we  arrived,  medicine  was 
useless,  for  her  spirit  had  fled  to  an  eternal  rest,  which  it 
had  long  sought.  28th,  I  went  to  Milton,  and  attended 
meeting,  then  back  to  Wakefield,  and  attended  the  burial 
of  the  above  named  sister,  when  I  preached  from  Revela- 
tion xiv  :  13.  On  the  29th,  went  to  Sanbornton  ;  on  the 
30th,  a  general  meeting  commenced.  Many  preachers 
from  New  York,  Massachusetts,  New  Hampshire,  and 
Maine,  attended.  On  the  first  day,  E.  Smith,  L.  Hatha- 
way and  M.  Fernald  preached,  and  on  the  next  day  not 
far  from  two  thousand  people  assembled  in  an  orchard, 
where  there  were  three  good  sermons  preached.  At 
evening,  I  preached  in  Salisbury,  N.  H. 

September  1st,  a  general  meeting  commenced  in  Ando- 
ver.  I  attended  and  preached  once,  then  rode  on  towards 
Springfield,  to  attend  another  general  meeting,  which 
commenced  on  the  2d.  Several  had  been  converted  under 
the  labors  of  brother  Asa  C.  Morrison.  Our  meetings 
were  good,  and  I  think  much  good  was  done.  The  heat 
was  excessive.  On  my  way  home,  I  attended  a  few  meet- 
ings and  arrived  home  on  the  6th,  much  fatigued,  but 
grateful  to  the  Lord  for  a  good  journey.  After  preaching 
at  hame,  and  in  the  region  round  about,  as  was  my  custom, 

I  went  to  Stratham,  N.  H.,  on  the  30th. 

18* 


210  LIFE   OF   ELDER  MAEK   FERNALD. 

October  1st,  I  went  to  Deerfield,  to  attend  a  general 
meeting.  It  being  a  military  muster,  we  had  not  so  many 
at  our  meeting,  and  were  more  abused  than  amused,  with 
gun  and  drum  and  drunkards'  noise.  We  preached  at 
our  brother  Prescott's.  I  had  a  serious  impression  while 
on  my  way  home  from  Springfield,  to  visit  Allenstown  ; 
accordingly,  on  the  3d,  I  went  thither,  and  got  a  blessing 
by  obeying  the  impression.  Returned  home,  but  not  to  be 
idle.  I  saw  some  manifestations  of  God's  power  in  awak- 
ening some  souls.  I  labored  hard  at  my  carpentering 
business,  to  help  myself,  as  Paul  did  at  tent  making. 

November.  I  labored  with  my  hands  and  head  as  hard 
as  I  thought  I  could.  On  the  16th,  when  about  to  go  to 
my  evening  meeting,  I  was  called  to  witness,  in  a  shocking 
manner,  the  effect  of  hard  drinking.  A  young  man  had 
fallen  in  a  fit ;  and  upon  enquiry,  I  found  he  had  become 
so  habituated  to  alcoholic  liquor  that  he  could  not  do  with- 
out it  and  not  have  fits,  and  with  it  and  not  be  a  fool.  0, 
the  curse  of  rum  !     Touch  not  the  cup. 

On  the  17th,  we  removed  to  our  new  house,  which  cost 
me  hard  labor  for  years.  I  tried  to  be  thankful  to  the 
Lord  who  had  helped  me  in  all  my  straits  and  troubles  of 
body  and  mind.  They  that  trust  in  the  Lord  shall  never 
be  confounded,  or  left.  I  Avas  under  the  necessity  of 
laboring  at  my  carpentering  business,  as  I  was  not  in  cir- 
cumstances to  hire,  and  I  felt  it  my  duty  to  get  me  a  house 
for  my  family.  The  Lord  be  praised  for  his  goodness. 
Amen. 

December  1st.  I  went  to  Portsmouth,  thence  to  Rye. 
2d,  preached  at  Salisbury  Point,  and  saw  -some  signs  of  a 
revival ;  3d,  at  Haverhill,  and  found  some  awakening  ;  5th, 


LIFE   OF  ELDER  MARK    FERNALD.  211 

preached  at  Newbiuy.  Returned  home,  and  on  the  12th, 
attended  the  burial  of  an  excellent  sister,  Mrs.  Colby,  wife 
of  brother  Benjamin  Colby.  24th,  brother  J.  Boothby 
"  came  over  to  help  us."  25th,  Christmas,  we  preached, 
and  some  attended  meeting,  while  many  were  gambling, 
dancing,  and  drinking  to  drunkenness.  In  the  evening,  I 
took  up  one  in  the  road,  helpless  and  senseless,  and  saw 
many  more  who  could  scarcely  walk ;  two  of  them  were  a 
father  and  son,  who  had  lain  an  hour  or  more  drunk,  but 
had  just  got  underway  again.  Lord  help  me  to  fight 
drunkenness  and  all  the  famili/.  I  could  look  over  the 
year,  as  it  closed,  with  pain  and  pleasure.  The  first  morn 
of  the  year,  death  took  my  little  son.  Thirty-four  had 
followed  during  the  year,  in  Kittery. 

I  traveled  abroad  less  that  year  than  I  had  formerly 
done,  being  detained  in  the  building  of  my  house,  but  I 
had  preached  more  in  Kittery  than  usual,  having  been  at 
home  forty  Sabbaths,  and  attended  one  hundred  and 
ninety-nine  meetings  and  burials  in  town.  I  traveled 
about  two  thousand  miles  during  the  year.  God  gave  me 
strength  equal  to  my  day. 

1829.  January.  Commenced  the  year  by  preaching. 
Had  some  very  profitable  meetings  during  the  month. 
Some  extreme  cold  weather  prevented  many  from  attend- 
ing meeting.  On  the  9th,  we  had  such  sleet  and  ice  on 
every  thing,  as  I  never  saw  before.  On  the  29th,  my 
wife  was  very  sick  with  nervous  fever.  She  continued 
sick  for  some  days  into  February,  which  prevented  me 
from  attending  some  meetings,  for  the  religion  of  Jesus 
teaches  us  to  take  care  of  our  families. 

In  February,  there  was  quite  an  appearance  of  a  revi- 


212  LIFE   OF  ELDER  MARK    FERNALD. 

val.     I  received  letters  from  some  churches  in  the  East, 
to  visit  them,  but  I  could  only  write  them. 

March  1st,  I  visited  South  Berwick  ;  thence  to  Dover 
and  preached  in  the  evening.  To  Wolfborough  on  the 
3d.  Preached  a  few  times  in  that  and  the  adjoining 
towns,'  but  the  roads  were  so  blocked  with  snow  that  it  was 
with  difficulty  we  could  get  about.  I  had  much  buffeting 
of  mind,  but  the  Lord  deHvered  me.  I  started  for  home 
on  the  loth,  and  the  traveling  exceeded  all  I  had  ever 
seen.  Snow  deep,  sun  warm,  and  the  roads  full  of  snow 
and  water,  so  that  I  had  a  hard  day's  work  to  ride  twen- 
ty four  miles.  On  the  14th,  it  became  violently  cold,  and 
froze  the  snow  water,  so  that  the  roads  were  rough  and 
tumble,  but  I  succeeded  in  reaching  home,  for  which  I  felt 
grateful.  The  remainder  of  the  month  I  spent  in  visiting 
and  preaching  ;  saw  some  turn  to  the  Lord.  On  the  30th, 
I  preached  at  New  Castle. 

April  1st,  I  preached  at  Portsmouth.  Having  some  re- 
vival among  us,  and  some  things  trying,  I  set  myself  about 
diligently  searching  and  examining  our  constitution — the 
New  Testament.  I  could  not  find  any  scripture  for  dis- 
missing members,  but  found  where  they  went  out  from 
the  church.  I  found  where  Paul's  brethren  and  associates 
turned  away  from  him,  in  Asia.  I  found  where  we  are  to 
withdraw  from  bad  characters  ;  and  from  the  whole  it  ap- 
peared to  me,  that  if  members  wish  to  leave  one  church 
and  join  another,  or  even  to  remain  alone,  they  should 
give  some  reason  to  their  brethren,  and  have  a  letter  of 
commendation ;  then  there  would  remain  Christian 
friendship  and  fellowship.  But  to  go  off  like  a  runaway 
boy,  who  would  send  back  a  letter  that  he  was  gone  when 


LIFE   OF   ELDER  MARK    FERNALD.  213 

it  was  already  known,  is  not  Christian- like.  If  we  would 
be  the  light  of  the  world,  we  must  manifest  to  the  world 
that  we  are  followers  of  Him  who  came  a  light  to  shine  in 
darkness,  and  walk  according  to  the  rule  he  has  given  us  ; 
then  peace  would  ensue.  For  as  many  as  walk  accord- 
ing to  this  rule,  peace  be  on  them. 

The  Bible  is  iny  chart  and  compass  loo, 
Whose  needle  points  forever  true. 

May  1st,  twin  boys  were  born  unto  us,  but  they  only 
came  forth  as  a  flower,  and  were  cut  down,  for  on  the  12th, 
one,  and  on  the  14th,  the  other,  died  of  nervous  fits.  On 
the  15th,  a  large  assembly  convened  at  my  house,  and 
were  addressed  in  a  very  appropriate  manner  by  brother 
S.  Merrill,  the  congregational  preacher  in  town,  after 
which  we  consigned  them  in  one  coffin,  to  the  grave.  My 
wife  was  deeply  afflicted,  and  we  felt  that  though  our 
babes  were  safe,  yet  it  was  deeply  trying.  But  the  text, 
"  whom  the  Lord  loveth  he  chasteneth,"  comforted  us 
somewhat. 

On  the  6th,  Elder  Peter  Young  visited  us  and  preached 
the  word  to  the  people.  On  the  20th,  and  21st,  I  at- 
tended a  general  meeting  at  Kensington,  New  Hampshire. 
On  the  last  day  of  the  meeting,  A.  Jones  and  E.  Smith, 
the  two  first  Christian  preachers  in  New  England,  preached. 
On  the  29th,  attended  the  New  Hampshire  conference  at 
Alton,  at  the  house  of  brother  Jacob  Davis.  Two  preach- 
ers were  received.  We  had  a  good  session.  On  the 
31st,  Jacob  Davis  and  Timothy  Cole,  were  ordained  to  the 
work  of  the  gospel  ministry.  I  then  rode  to  Wolf  borough 
to  visit  the  sick. 

June  1st,  and  2d,  I  remained  in  Wolfborough,  visiting 


214  LIFE    OF   ELDER   MARK    FERNALD. 

the  sick  and  preaching  the  word.  I  then  returned  home, 
and  on  the  10th,  went  to  Portsmouth,  and  there  passed 
through  a  solemn  scene.  My  highly  esteemed  brother, 
Asa  Dearborn,  who  had  been  a  friend  to  me  and  many 
others,  was  brought  home  from  Boston  dead.  On  the 
11th,  with  brother  J.  Boody  and  a  large  number  of  weep- 
ing friends,  attended  his  burial.  On  the  13th,  and  14th, 
attended  a  general  meeting  at  Milton,  New  Hampshire. 
As  the  preachers  who  were  expected  did  not  arrive,  I  had 
to  preach  three  times  the  first  day.  On  the  second  day 
brother  S.  Swett  and  myself  improved  the  time.  The 
Lord  helped,  and  to  him  be  the  praise.  I  then  went  to 
Lebanon,  and  preached  in  the  evening.  On  the  16th,  and 
17th,  we  held  a  general  meeting  at  Lebanon,  Little  River 
Falls  meeting  house.  P.  Young,  E.  Shaiv,  T.  Cole,  and 
M.  Fernald  preached,  and  on  the  17th,  brother  Paul 
Reynolds  was  ordained  to  the  work  of  the  ministry.  The 
congregation  was  very  large.  The  preaching  was  with 
much  freedom,  the  people  heard  attentively,  and  many 
wept.  The  meeting  was  of  deep  interest,  as  the  people 
called  "  Christians"  were  but  little  known  in  the  place, 
and  evil  reports  of  our  doctrine  and  practice  had  been  cir- 
culated. The  people  then  had  a  fair  opportunity  of  hear- 
ing us  fearlessly  declare  our  Lord  and  his  gospel.  The 
Baptist  brother,  Elder  Delano,  received  us  kindly.  At 
evening,  brethren  P.  Young,  E.  Shaw  and  myself,  had 
a  meeting  at  brother  G.  Kurd's.  Parting  with  my  brother 
preachers  on  the  18th,  I  went  to  South  Berwick,  where  I 
was  cordially  received  after  a  long  absence.  I  preached 
there  ;  had  a  good,  refreshing  season.  Returning  home 
on  the  20th,  I  had  a  meeting,  but  being  so  much  fatigued, 


LIFE   OF   ELDER   MARK   FERNALD.  215 

I  was  unfit  to  do  or  get  good.  On  the  27th,  Sarah  Jane 
Paul,  of  Elliot,  aged  20  years,  was  riding  toward  Ports- 
mouth ;  the  horse  became  restive,  and  ran  ;  the  reins  broke, 
and  in  her  fright  she  jumped  from  the  carriage,  and  in  her 
fall  so  injured  her  head,  that  she  never  had  any  more  rea- 
son. I  was  with  her  several  hours,  but  all  that  I  or  the 
doctors  could  do,  was  of  no  avail,  and  in  an  unconscious 
state  she  sunk  into  the  embrace  of  death.  It  was  a  sol- 
emn and  deeply  impressive  scene,  and  I  think  sanctified 
to  many  living.  Reader,  there  is  but  a  step  between  us 
and  death.     "  Prepare  to  meet  thy  God." 

On  the  28th,  I  went  to  hear  a  brother  preach,  who 
gave  such  an  exposition  of"  God  manifest  in  the  flesh," 
that  grieved  me.  When  the  language  of  scripture  is  so 
altered  as  to  make  God  to  be  flesh,  to  die  and  rise  again, 
I  think  it  time  for  the  offender  to  learn  his  lesson  better. 
0  the  need  of  plain  truth. 

As  brother  Peter  Young  had  removed  to  York,  and  was 
preaching  for  the  church  and  society  there,  I  requested  a 
dismission  of  my  pastoral  relation,  which  they  gave  me  on 
the  29th,  and  chose  brother  Young  to  that  oSice. 

July  1st,  preached  in  Kittery,  and  the  Lord  blessed  his 
word.  On  the  memorable  fourth,  I  attended  meeting  in 
our  place  of  worship,  then  with  the  Congregationalists,  and 
had  a  third  service  for  the  cause  of  temperance.  8th,  I 
spoke  to  the  people  in  the  west  part  of  the  town  to  escape 
to  the  Lord  for  their  lives.  On  the  12th,  I  had  four 
meetings,  which  were  good  indeed  ;  two  were  at  home  and 
two  were  at  New  Castle,  where  I  broke  bread  to  the  be- 
lievers of  the  different  denominations. 

23d,  went  to  Portland,  where  a  serious  trial  and  difii- 


216  LIFE   OF   ELDER   MARK   FERNALD. 

culty  existed  about  instrumental  music.  The  church  had 
uniformly  opposed  the  use  of  instruments  of  music  in  the 
house  of  worship,  in  connection  with  their  worship,  while 
the  society  urged  it.  At  length  a  few  of  the  church  con- 
sented to  it,  and  a  bass  viol  was  carried  in,  when  the 
church  and  pastor.  Elder  Samuel  Rand,  left  the  house. 
After  some  wrecks,  they  returned  to  the  house,  on  condition 
of  the  removal  of  the  "  viol."  I  visited  the  people,  and 
head  singer ;  he  said  they  w^ere  determined  to  carry  the 
^'viol"  in  the  next  day,  although  we  should  refuse  to 
preach.  On  the  26th,  I  went  reluctantly  to  meeting,  with 
Elders  S.  Rand  and  J.  Holman.  After  prayer,  the  head 
singer  rose  and  said,  ''As  Elder  Fernald  is  not  in  the 
habit  of  reading  hymns,  I  shall  sing  a  few  verses ;"  and 
then  sung,  using  the  viol.  Holman  consented  to  preach  : 
as  I  came  out  of  the  house,  I  took  the  head  singer  by  the 
hand,  and  said,  "  naughty  man."  By  much  entreaty,  I 
consented  to  meet  with  them  in  the  afternoon,  for  prayer 
meeting.  Many  hundreds  were  present.  I  rose  and  told 
the  people  that  being  thick  of  hearing,  I  knew  not  what 
was  said  in  the  forenoon  concerning  me,  but  had  been 
informed.  I  then  told  them  that  it  was  known  from  the 
Provinces  East,  to  Lake  Erie,  West,  from  the  Canadas 
North,  to  the  distant  South,  that  for  twenty  years  I  had 
been  in  the  habit  of  reading  hymns,  or  naming  them  to  be 
sung,  though  not  always. 

I  then  told  them  I  had  no  objections  to  singing,  but  I 
had  to  the  use  of  instruments  of  music  in  connection  with 
Christian  worship.  I  took  the  New  Testament  as  my  rule. 
I  could  find  no  command  of  Christ  or  his  apostles,  neither 
an  example.     They  were  at  liberty  to  call  it  what  they 


LIFE   OF  ELDER  MARK   FERNALD.  217 

pleased,  superstition,  singularity,  or  whatever  they  chose, 
but  be  it  remembered  that  what  I  opposed,  was  not  found 
in  Christ's  command  or  example. 

On  the  27th,  I  visited  an  Island  about  ten  miles  distant 
from  Portland,  to  see  some  relatives,  but  I  found  five  in 
one  family  had  died  since  my  last  visit,  and  one  more  was 
lying  at  the  point  of  death.  Had  a  few  meetings  in  Port- 
land, and  on  the  30th,  went  to  Gorham,  and  held  a  meeting 
at  Fort  Hill. 

We  arrived  home  on  the  first  of  August,  had  a  few 
revival  meetings,  and  on  the  4th,  preached  in  York,  and 
baptized  four  youths.  These  were  the  first  that  were 
baptized  of  the  fruits  of  the  revival  which  spread  so  glori- 
ously in  York,  that  season,  under  the  labors  of  Elder  P. 
Young.  5th,  I  visited  Murphy,  a  prisoner  who  was  con- 
demned to  die  for  the  murder  of  his  wife ;  and  the  4th  of 
the  following  December  was  appointed  for  him  to  be  hung. 
I  could  see  no  signs  of  penitence,  although  he  requested 
me  to  pray  for  him.  I  then  returned  home,  and  met  with 
brother  E.  Shaw,  who  had  called  to  visit  us.  On  the  10th, 
I  preached  in  the  southwest  part  of  Y^ork,  and  made  a 
request  for  those  persons  to  arise  who  had  at  any  time 
obtained  hope  of  conversion,  and  had  never  publicly  pro- 
fessed it,  when  ten  took  their  cross.  This  request  I  had 
not  made  before,  but  the  efiect  was  good.  14th,  I  baptized 
five  at  York.  It  was  a  good,  lively  time  there,  and  some 
almost  every  day,  professed  hope  in  Christ.  19th,  met 
in  York,  at  Deacon  Joseph  Moore's.  Brother  E.  Shaw 
preached,  and  I  baptized  four,  who  had  waited  some  time 
in   suspense  before  they  came  forward.     24th,  preached 

again  at  York  Neck,  and  baptized.     The  revival  went  on 
19 


218  LIFE   OF   ELDER  MARK   FERNALD. 

gloriously  at  York,  and  as  Elder  Young  was  lame,  having 
Jost  one  leg,  and  could  not  administer  the  ordinance  of 
baptism,  he  called  on  some  of  his  ministering  brethren  who 
were  ever  ready  to  assist  him  ;  and  as  I  was  nearest,  and 
had  the  care  of  the  church,  and  we  being  yoke-fellows,  it 
most  always  devolved  on  me.     I  was  happy  in  it  also. 

27th  and  28th,  attended  a  general  meeting  in  Stratham, 
New  Hampshire,  which  was  one  of  the  best  I  ever  attended. 
Twelve  preachers  were  present.  Old  brother  Osborne  was 
there,  and  awake  too,  and  also  brother  H.  Pottle.  Os- 
borne, Howe,  Shaw,  H.  Plummer,  and  Fernald  preached. 
The  meeting  house  could  not  hold  much  more  than  half  of 
the  people.  One  soul  was  converted,  and  many  were 
pricked  in  the  heart. 

September  2d,  and  4th,  preached  in  York,  and  baptized. 
6th,  brother  J.  Flanders  preached  to  us.  7th,  preached 
at  New  Castle,  and  then  visited  the  hospital  at  Fort  Con- 
stitution, to  see  Marquis  Graves,  of  New  York,  who  was 
dying.  He  felt  the  consequence  of  living  in  the  neglect 
of  rehgion. 

On  the  14th,  at  evening,  I  preached  at  Dover ;  three 
other  preachers  were  present.  The  Lord's  word  and 
Spirit  cut  its  way ;  five  or  six  were  hopefully  converted, 
while  others  resolved  on  seeking  the  Lord,  which  produced 
quite  an  excitement.  15th,  to  Wolf  borough,  and  16th, 
and  17th,  attended  a  general  meeting,  at  Tuftonborough. 
On  the  16th,  Mark  H.  Shephard,  then  young,  and  S. 
Swett  preached,  and  effected  much  good.  The  meetings 
were  all  good,  but  would  have  been  better  if  we  preachers 
had  all  felt  right.  I  preached  at  evening ;  also  on  the 
next  day,  and  then  went  to  Wolfborough.     19th,  a  general 


LIFE    OF   ELDER  MARK   FERNALD.  219 

meeting  commenced  at  Middleton ;  but  a  militia  parade 
near  the  house  prevented  a  full  attendance.  Brethren  P. 
Reynolds  and  J.  N.  Nutter  preached.  I  preached  in  the 
evening;  some  opposed,  while  others  rejoiced.  On  the 
20th,  a  very  large  assembly  met ;  many  felt  the  word. 
The  meetings  closed  with  solemn  impressions.  I  rode  to 
Farmington,  and  preached  on  the  evening  of  the  20th. 
Returned  to  Dover  on  the  21st,  and  found  the  work  of 
God  going  on  gloriously.  About  forty  souls  had  been 
hopefully  converted  at  the  vestry,  in  seven  days,  and  ten 
or  twelve  among  the  Methodist  brethren.  I  found  brother 
Stephen  Coffin  dangerously  ill,  and  stopped  with  him  until 
the  symptoms  appeared  more  favorable. 

On  the  23d,  I  preached  at  York,  and  the  Lord's  word 
lay  so  heavily  on  me  that  I  cried  aloud,  and  I  believe  good 
was  done.  I  then  baptized  six.  One  was  brother  James 
H.  Donnell,  who  had  been  an  old  sailor,  and  who  always 
after  continued  to  abide  in  the  old  ship  of  Zion,  or  Ark  of 
Safety.     I  here  give  a  sketch  of  his  experience. 

In  a  most  violent  gale,  when  nothing  else  could  be  done, 
they  got  the  vessel  before  the  wind,  and  scud  her  toward 
a  dangerous  lee  shore,  expecting  to  meet  their  fate  or 
death,  by  nine  o'clock  in  the  evening.  He  was  at  the 
helm,  and  all  the  rest  went  below.  When  nine  o'clock 
arrived,  the  hour  they  calculated  they  should  be  on  shore, 
in  his  anguish  of  spirit  he  cried  to  the  Lord  as  a  guilty 
sinner.  The  wind  abated  by  ten  o'clock,  and  they  escaped. 
He  then  felt  bound  to  seek  the  Lord,  which  he  did,  and 
found  peace.  0,  that  every  one  who  has  vowed  unto  the 
Lord  would  pay  his  vows. 

October  2d,  I  preached  particularly  to  the   Sabbath 


220  LIFE   OF   ELDER  MARK    FERNALD. 

school  children  and  their  parents.  17th  and  18th,  at- 
tended a  general  meeting  at  Crown  Point,  so  called, 
Strafford,  N.  H.  I  spoke  on  the  subject  of  grace  ;  also 
J.  Davis  and  S.  Swett  spoke.  Good  appeared  among  us. 
28th  and  29th,  met  in  general  meeting  at  Durham,  New 
Hampshire.  N.  Piper,  E.  Shaw,  W.  Demerritt,  E.  Phil- 
brick,  J.  Winklej,  J.  Goodwin,  S.  Swett,  G.  Pierce,  and 
myself  attended  ;  also  N.  Wilson,  and  Andrew  Rollins,  of 
the  Free-will  Baptists.  The  Lord  helped  us,  and  the 
meetings  were  of  interest.  For  several  months  my  health 
was  remarkably  good,  and  I  preached  more  than  once 
every  day.  Brother  J.  Flanders  was  with  me  a  part  of 
the  time,  and  labored  to  good  acceptance. 

I  commenced  November  at  home.  On  the  17th,  I 
preached  twice  in  York,  and  baptized  four.  The  rain  was 
so  heavy  that  that  scripture  was  fulfilled,  "  Baptized  in  the 
cloud  and  in  the  sea."  On  the  25th,  I  preached  again  at 
York,  and  baptized  four  more.  The  work  of  the  Lord 
revived  in  Kittery,  and  several  were  enquiring  what  they 
must  do  to  be  saved. 

In  December,  brother  B.  Knight,  from  Salem,  visited 
us  ;  also  P.  Young  and  N.  Thurston  assisted  us.  On  the 
24th,  I  baptized  three  at  York.  On  the  23d,  I  held  a 
meeting  for  the  unconverted  only,  as  I  had  requested  no 
professor  to  attend.  The  result  was  glorious.  On  the 
25th,  the  work  of  God  broke  forth  in  a  powerful  manner. 
At  nine  o'clock  in  the  evening,  I  dismissed  those  who 
wished  to  go,  but  the  most  stopped.  I  then  requested  all 
who  were  determined  to  seek  the  Lord  to  kneel  and  pray. 
Between  twenty  and  thirty  bowed  the  knee.  There  being 
no  brethren  present  who  were  accustomed  to  improve  in 


LIFE   OF  ELDER  MARK    FERNALD.  221 

public,  I  prayed  many  times.  Several  sisters  joined  in 
prayer  also.  About  eleven  o'clock,  four,  who  were  on  one 
seat,  rose  one  after  the  other,  and  gave  good  evidence  of 
their  conversion,  while  several  others  lost  their  burden  of 
mind.  At  about  twelve  o'clock,  we  parted,  some  happy, 
and  many  in  deep  distress.  Thus  closed  another  Christ- 
mas, but  how  different  from  twenty-five  years  before,  when 
the  frolicking,  Christ-insulting  party  separated,  and  myself 
one  of  the  number.  The  work  went  on  gloriously,  and  as 
the  year  closed  I  could  say,  amid  all  the  opposition  I  had 
met,  and  all  the  trials  I  had  experienced,  together  with 
my  short  comings,  the  Lord  had  helped  me,  and  given  me 
strength  and  victory,  while  I  had  been  blessed  with  a  good 
degree  of  health,  and  had  been  enabled  to  attend  constant 
religious  labor,  besides  ten  general  meetings. 

19* 


222  LIFE   OP  ELDER  MARK   FERNALD. 


CHAPTER  XVI. 

REVIVAL  AT  KITTERY — J.  GOODWIN  ORDAINED — CONFER- 
ENCE AT  ALLENSTOWN — TOUR  NORTH — CONFERENCE  AT 
BOSCAWEN — MAINE  CONFERENCE  AT  MONMOUTH — TOUR 
SOUTH — ATTENDS  SEVERAL  GENERAL  MEETINGS — PROS- 
PECTS OF  THE  CHRISTIANS. 

1830.  January  1st,  went  to  Portsmouth,  and  found  a 
good  revival  going  on  there.  On  the  3d,  I  baptized  seven 
at  Kitterj,  who,  on  coming  out  of  the  water,  rejoiced. 
My  house  on  some  days  was  crowded  Avith  saints  and 
enquirers.  13th,  baptized  again.  On  the  17th,  I  had  an 
impression  which  I  dared  not  disobey.  It  was  to  leave 
the  stand  and  go  to  a  certain  person,  and  lay  my  hand  on 
his  head,  and  say,  "  In  the  name  of  Jesus  Christ,  obey  the 
Spirit  of  God."  That  I  considered  going  without  the 
camp.     It  was  going  out  of  the  common  course. 

21st,  went  to  Berwick,  Great  Hill,  so  called,  and  at- 
tended the  ordination  of  brother  Joshua  Goodwin.  24th, 
baptized  six  youths  at  Kittery.  It  was  a  solemn  and 
glorious  sight  to  see  these  youths  put  on  Christ  in  a  cold 
January  morning.  That  evening  fourteen  bowed  their 
knees  to  Christ,  and  cried  for  pardon.  Some  souls  exposed 
to  ruin  found  redeeming  grace,  almost  every  day  or  evening. 


LIFE   OF   ELDER  MARK   FERNALD.  223 

February  3d,  brother  E.  Shaw  preached  to  us,  and  on 
the  6th,  brother  N.  Burbank,  a  young  man  stopping  with 
me  for  his  health,  preached.  On  the  10th,  preached  at 
Capt.  Payne's,  at  York,  and  had  a  good  season.  At  nine 
o'clock,  on  the  morning  of  the  21st,  I  baptized,  thence  to 
the  meeting  house,  where  the  Lord  blessed  us  indeed. 
On  the  28th,  baptized  again.  The  good  work  seemed  to 
increase. 

March  3d,  I  preached  in  the  southwest  part  of  the  town, 
and  baptized  a  man  and  his  wife.  On  the  7th,  in  the 
morning,  I  baptized  six.  On  the  9th,  was  the  anniversary 
of  my  birth,  and  I  felt  some  encouragement,  as  I  had  lived 
to  gather  some  of  the  fruit  of  many  years'  labor. 

On  the  13th,  several  related  their  experience,  among 
whom  was  one  man  who  had  indulged  hope  from  his  boy- 
hood, or  thirty-seven  years  before,  but  had  never  openly 
made  a  profession  of  religion.  That  was  a  good  day  ;  and 
on  the  14th,  I  baptized  four.  On  the  17th,  I  baptized 
again  at  Kittery,  and  on  the  19th,  preached  at  York,  and 
baptized  two  very  steady  youths,  one  of  whom  was  brother 
George  Moore  Payne.  26th,  there  was  a  violent  storm  ; 
the  sea  was  in  a  tumult,  tide  very  high,  and  vessels  in 
difficulty,  which  turned  me  and  others  out  to  take  care  of 
them.  It  was  a  trying  day  to  lives  and  property.  Meet- 
ings uncommonly  interesting. 

April  4th.  I  found  myself  very  much  worn  down, 
having  preached  seventeen  times  in  eight  days.  On  the 
6th,  I  went  to  work  with  my  joiner's  tools  at  the  bench,  to 
make  me  sweat,  and  thereby  relieve  my  lungs;  but  I 
preached  in  the  evening.  Many  expected  me  to  be  sick, 
but  the  Lord  was  always  merciful  to  me.     During  the 


224  LIFE   OF  ELDER  MARK   FERNALD. 

revival,  many  professed  conversion,  and  a  large  number 
"who  had  never  confessed  Christ  before,  came  out.  Among 
the  number  was  Mrs.  Nancy  Payne,  the  honored  mother 
of  George,  who,  though  their  family  resided  in  York,  were 
members  of  our  society  in  Kittery,  excepting  George,  who 
was  converted  in  York,  and  united  with  the  church  there. 

May  2d,  preached  three  times  and  baptized.  Preached, 
visited,  and  labored,  day  and  evening,  and  attended  on  the 
sick  until  the  26th,  when  I  started  on  a  tour.  Went  to 
Portsmouth,  Stratham,  and  Exeter,  where  I  preached  in 
the  evening.     The  Lord  had  poured  out  his  Spirit  there. 

27th,  went  to  AUenstown,  and  preached  at  brother 
Clark's,  whose  wife  was  near  death  with  a  cancer.  It  was 
a  solemn  meeting.  28th,  the  New  Hampshire  conference 
commenced.  About  twenty-five  preachers  attended,  though 
all  did  not  belong  to  the  conference.  Judge  Hall  Burgin, 
his  wife  and  daughter  waited  on  us,  and  he  was  as  a  father 
to  us.  On  the  29th  and  30th,  held  pubhc  meetings,  which 
were  crowded,  and  I  believe  good  was  done.  We  then 
retired  in  different  directions,  and  31st,  I  went  to  Wolf- 
borough. 

June  1st,  in  Wolf  borough,  I  found  some  revival  and  a 
revival  spirit.  I  had  some  good  meetings  there  and  at 
Tuftonborough,  and  on  the  5th,  had  a  meeting  at  Ossipee, 
which  was  one  of  the  best  I  had  attended  during  my  jour- 
ney. The  prospects  were  good  in  the  hill  country, 
especially  in  Wolfborough.  Keturned  home  by  the  way 
of  Dover  and  South  Berwick.  16th,  attended  the  York 
County  Bible  Society  at  York.  After  attending  some 
good  and  profitable  meetings  in  Kittery,  the  month  closed. 

July  4th,  being  Lord's  day,  we  celebrated  the  anniver- 


LIFE   OF   ELDER   MARK    FERNALD.  225 

sary  of  Independence  on  the  5th,  by  forming  a  procession 
of  eighty  couples,  mostly  Sabbath  school  children,  and 
walking  to  the  Congregational  meeting  house,  where 
addresses  were  made,  and  in  the  afternoon  we  held  a  meet- 
ing at  our  house  of  worship.  9th,  started  for  Portland, 
and  on  the  10th,  preached  at  the  opening  of  the  Temple 
street  Chapel,  from  Hebrews  xiii :  1.  On  the  11th,  a  large 
assembly  came  together  to  hear  and  see.  Three  discourses 
were  dehvered.  In  the  evening,  I  preached  at  the  Abys- 
sinian meeting  of  colored  people.  Remained  in  Portland, 
preaching  and  laboring,  until  the  15th,  when  I  bade  them 
farewell,  and  on  the  16th,  returned  to  Kittery. 

August  1st,  preached  thrice  with  joy  and  sorrow.  3d, 
went  to  Wells,  where  many  assembled  to  hear  the  word, 
while  several  felt  it.  The  brethren  were  revived  and  were 
looking  for  a  reformation.  4th,  preached,  and  baptized 
three  who  had  halted  in  duty  for  years.  The  Lord  blessed 
me  in  that  visit,  and  blessed  the  visit  to  the  people.  A 
revival  commenced. 

On  the  16th,  went  to  the  east  part  of  York,  where  I 
preached  and  baptized,  and  with  Elders  Young  and  Good- 
win, gathered  a  church  of  twenty-one  members.  The 
church  was  called  the  Church  of  God  of  York  and  Wells. 
Ogunquit  is  a  section  of  the  towns  of  York  and  Wells. 

In  my  labors,  I  felt  afflicted  when  I  found  a  disposition 
to  disobey  when  duty  was  known.  In  my  visits,  I  found 
many  in  sorrow  and  affliction,  and  often  saw  the  virtue  and 
value  of  true  religion. 

September  1st,  went  to  Elliot ;  preached  and  baptized  ; 
saw  a  good  appearance  of  a  revival.  It  was  quite  sickly 
in  Kittery.     0,  that  sickness  might  turn  the  people  to  seek 


226  LIFE   OF   ELDER  MARK    FERNALD. 

the  Lord.  Some  find  fault  with  faithful  preaching  in 
health,  but  not  when  they  are  sick.  The  preacher  is  often 
opposed,  and  he  is  said  to  be  too  plain,  but  a  good  looking- 
glass  is  not  broken  which  will  show  all  the  blemishes  as 
well  as  the  beauties  of  the  face.  It  is  not  too  plain. 
The  sickness  in  Kitterj  became  quite  alarming,  and  a 
number  of  worthy  persons  died. 

17th,  journeyed  to  Middleton  ;  18th,  to  Wolfborough, 
and  found  some  revival.  I  found  several  sick  there,  and 
some  near  death. 

21st,  went  to  Tuftonborough.  24th,  to  Gilford,  and 
attended  a  general  meeting  there  on  the  25th,  and  26th, 
which  was  very  interesting.  I  purposed  to  go  West,  but 
on  receiving  several  letters  from  Kittery,  urging  my  speedy 
return,  by  reason  of  the  sickness,  I  gave  up  my  proposed 
tour,  and  returned  home,  where  I  arrived  on  the  28th,  and 
found  the  sickness  abating.  I  was  blessed,  in  some  in- 
stances at  least,  in  the  use  of  my  medicine. 

October  2d,  by  request  of  a  dying  man,  I  went  several 
miles  to  see  him ;  his  object  in  seeing  me,  he  said,  was  to 
confess  his  hardness  and  ill  treatment  to  me,  and  the  cause 
of  religion.  I  could  not  tell  how  deep  his  repentance  was, 
but  he  soon  died. 

On  the  6th,  preached  at  the  southwest  of  York.  It 
was  an  interesting  season  to  all  present,  but  we  had  to 
dismiss  the  meeting  too  soon,  for  the  want  of  light.  I 
charged  the  brethren  not  to  depend  on  each  other  for 
spiritual  light,  as  they  had  for  candles. 

November  1st.  I  felt  rejoiced  in  a  visit  from  an  aged 
man,  who  came  to  open  his  mind,  and  receive  advice  and 
counsel  about  his  soul's  welfare,  which  he  had  long  neg- 


LIFE   OF  ELDER  MARK    FERNALD.  227 

lected  on  sea  and  land.  It  is  trying  to  a  servant  of  Christ 
to  know  the  vain  excuses  many  make  for  not  attending 
meeting  on  the  Sabbath,  such  as  wet,  hot  or  cold  weather, 
when  on  the  next  day  they  will  go  through  greater  difficul- 
ties about  their  worldly  business,  or  to  the  dram  shop. 
On  the  21st,  we  had  a  daughter  born  unto  us.  During 
the  month  I  had  much  to  encourage  and  much  to  discour- 
age me. 

December,  I  commenced  my  labors  as  usual,  and  on  the 
11th,  we  had  a  church  conference  to  take  into  considera- 
tion the  case  of  some  members  whose  names  stood  with  us, 
but  who  did  not  meet  with  us.  We  concluded  to  send 
their  names  after  their  persons,  as  "  gone  out  from  us." 
Several  afflictive  scenes  were  experienced  by  us  during 
the  month,  and  some  good  was  manifest.  Afflictions  and 
opposition  attended  me,  but  the  Lord  made  me  strong  to 
contend  with  error.  The  year  was  a  good  one  to  me. 
The  Lord  be  praised.     Amen. 

1831.  January  1st,  I  preached  in  the  evening.  I  con- 
tinued my  labors  and  duties  in  my  accustomed  manner, 
through  the  month,  preaching  about  every  day  or  evening 
in  town  or  out,  visiting  sick  and  well,  and  laboring  with 
my  hands.  To  the  12th,  the  ground  was  open,  and  not 
frost  enough  to  prevent  any  culture  of  the  earth.  On  the 
12th,  it  became  cold,  and  a  violent  storm  came  on,  by 
which  there  were  several  shipwrecks,  and  a  number  of 
wives  made  widows  at  New  Castle,  where  I  frequently 
preached. 

There  were  some  indications  of  a  revival,  but  no  break- 
ing forth.  At  the  burial  of  an  aged  pilgrim,  who  was 
eighty-nine  years  old,  I  preached  from  Job  v  :  26  :  "Thou 


228  LIFE   OF  ELDER  MARK    FERNALD, 

shalt  come  to  thj  grave  in  a  full  age,  like  as  a  shock  of 
corn  Cometh  in  his  season."  It  was  a  solemn  season, 
while  I  spoke  in  the  following  manner :  1st,  the  preparing 
of  the  ground,  "  break  up  the  fallow  ground  of  the  heart," 
have  it  completely  overturned  to  destroy  the  old  growth  of 
sin  and  vanity,  which  is  like  moss,  grass,  weeds  and  this- 
tles. 2d,  the  right  seed ;  Jesus  said,  "  the  seed  is  the 
word  of  God."  3d,  rain  and  sun.  God  is  constantly  vis- 
iting man  in  various  ways,  to  soften  the  heart  by  His  Spir- 
it, like  rain  on  the  earth ;  He  also  warms  their  affections 
and  desires  by  the  Sun  of  Righteousness.  4th,  the  farm- 
ers' care  is  not  only  to  keep  off  wild  beasts  and  fowls,  but 
his  own  domestic  beasts  and  fowls.  So  various  and  con- 
stant efforts  must  be  made,  not  only  to  keep  the  Devil  from 
catching  away  the  seed  sown  in  our  hearts,  but  to  guard 
against  our  own  temptations,  lusts  and  cares  of  life.  5th, 
when  ripe  it  is  the  best  time  to  gather  in  the  grain ;  so 
when  the  virtues  of  the  Christian  are  full,  or  when  they 
arejn  their  best  state,  it  seems  to  be  the  time  for  them  to 
be  gathered  to  their  fathers,  whether  young  or  old.  Why 
should  we  murmur  at  God's  dealings,  if  we  are  satisfied  He 
strikes  the  blow  to  our  endeared  religious  friends  who  are 
taken  in  mercy,  while  the  wicked  are  taken  in  judgment  ? 
6th,  if  the  corn  stands  after  it  is  ripe,  it  is  liable  to  mil- 
dew or  be  broken  down,  if  not  wholly  spoiled  and  lost ;  so 
for  the  Christian  to  outhve  the  powers  of  his  mind  and 
Christian  engagedness  and  usefulness,  he  may  not  come 
to  the  grave  like  as  a  shock  of  corn  in  his  season.  Lastly, 
let  us  not  be  so  desirous  about  a  long  life  as  a  useful  one, 
nor  desire  to  depart  till  we  are  ripe. 

I  commenced  February  with  a  clear  conscience  and 


LIFE   OF  ELDER  MARK    FERNALD.  229 

peace  of  mind,  and  on  the  3d,  went  to  York,  and  visited  a 
happy  youth  who  appeared  just  ready  to  leave  the  world. 
14th,  started  on  a  journey  to  the  interior  of  New  Hamp- 
shire. Attended  many  meetings  which  were  interesting 
and  encouraging.  In  my  tour  I  spent  much  time  in  fami- 
ly visiting  from  town  to  town,  and  believe  my  labor  was 
not  in  vain.     Returned  to  Kittery  and  the  month  ended. 

March  9th,  closed  my  forty-seventh  year.  Little  did 
I  know  of  man  when  I  commenced  preaching.  The  de- 
ception of  mortals  is  great,  and  many  who  profess  the  re- 
ligion of  Jesus,  serve  satan.  How  will  they  answer  for 
their  conduct  ?  Visited  and  preached  in  Kittery  and  York 
during  the  month.  Nothing  of  special  interest  occurred 
in  March. 

April  1st,  and  2d,  I  attended  meetings  in  Kittery.  7th, 
preached  at  New  Castle.  I  had  some  difficulty  in  cross- 
ing the  river  by  reason  of  a  squall,  but  a  good  meeting 
made  up  for  all  difficulties. 

Visited  the  sick  and  afflicted,  and  in  so  doing  I  occa- 
sionally met  with  some,  who  although  surrounded  by 
friendly  and  Christian  neighbors,  were  in  want,  hence  I 
had  temporal  as  well  as  spiritual  duties  to  attend  to.  The 
cause  we  know  not  we  should  search  out,  is  scriptural. 
28th,  a  very  heavy  storm  came  on  suddenly,  which  led  me 
to  pray  much  for  the  sailor.  I  saw  from  my  window 
three  vessels  attempting  to  make  our  harbor,  but  all  in 
vain.  One  drove  up  the  bay,  and  in  a  few  hours  ran  on 
to  Plum  Island.  The  second,  as  a  last  resort,  ran  ashore, 
while  the  third,  being  acquainted,  found  shelter  in  a  barred 
harbor  west  of  ours.     God  save  the  mariner. 

In  May,  after  attending  to  my  various  duties,  I  started 
20 


230  LIFE   OP   ELDER  MARK   FERNALD. 

on  the  22d,  on  a  journey.  I  was  at  Dover  and  Farming- 
ton  on  the  23d.  24th,  at  Gilford.  I  had  a  lame  leg, 
which  when  I  was  standing  to  preach  caused  me  much 
pain ;  but  as  notices  had  been  given  for  me  to  preach,  I 
felt  bound  to  be  punctual.  On  the  25th,  I  preached 
twice,  and  thence  to  Meredith  Bridge  and  preached  in  the 
evening.  Had  a  large  gathering  and  solemn  season.  26th, 
went  to  Sanbornton  and  rested  till  evening,  when  I  preached 
to  a  large  congregation,  and  had  a  long  meeting ;  but  I 
felt  dissatisfied  with  myself,  although  I  did  the  best  I  could 
at  that  time.  I  felt  the  need  of  being  more  awake  to 
God,  or  more  in  the  power  of  the  gospel. 

On  the  2Tth,  I  went  to  Boscawen,  to  attend  the  New 
Hampshire  Christian  conference.  Our  conference  was 
quite  harmonious.  28th,  and  29th,  we  held  public  meet- 
ings which  were  good  and  refreshing.  Many  testimonies 
were  brought  forward  by  brethren  and  sisters,  as  well  as 
by  the  preachers.  On  the  30th,  I  labored  to  assist  a  wor- 
thy sister  in  Christ,  who  was  very  sick  with  the  dropsy, 
and  for  whom  many  prayers  were  offered.  Being  lame,  I 
relinquished  journeying  farther,  and  after  resting  awhile, 
I  started  homeward. 

June  1st,  I  reached  home,  and  on  the  3d,  attended 
meeting  at  New  Castle,  where  I  found  a  revival  had  com- 
menced. On  the  9th,  met  with  brother  P.  Young  at 
York,  and  commenced  a  four  days'  meeting.  We  had 
some  good,  but  were  disappointed  in  ministerial  help.  On 
the  14th,  I  went  to  Wells,  where  I  found  a  time  of  general 
reformation,  especially  among  those  who  had  been  much 
opposed  to  revivals.  Between  one  and  two  hundred  had 
professed  conversion,  and  many  were   seeking  the  Lord. 


LIFE   OF   ELDER   MARK    FERNALD.  231 

I  preached  in  the  Tvest  of  the  town.  15th,  to  Portland, 
and  found  a  very  extensive  revival  in  progress  among  the 
different  societies.  I  then  proceeded  to  Monmouth  to 
attend  the  Maine  Christian  conference,  at  its  annual  ses- 
sion, which  commenced  on  the  18th.  On  the  19th,  for 
convenience,  a  large  number  of  people  met  in  the  Method- 
ist meeting  house.  Brother  S.  Nutt,  then  from  St.  Johns, 
and  myself  preached,  while  the  word  sunk  deep  in  the 
hearts  of  many,  and  some  bowed  the  knee  at  the  name  of 
Jesus.  Myself  and  others  not  belonging  to  the  confer- 
ence attended.  The  business  of  the  conference  was  done 
with  feeling,  and  much  good  news  was  brought  forward 
which  was  cheering.  The  meetings  were  a  great  and  spe- 
cial blessing,  and  many  were  led  to  see  the  need  of  pure 
religion.  I  then  went  to  New  Gloucester,  Gray  and  Gor- 
ham.  I  was  detained  at  New  Gloucester  awhile  by  a 
heavy  shower,  accompanied  with  thunder  and  lightning. 
The  lightning  killed  a  youth  at  Westbrook. 

On  the  2oth,I  returned  home,  and  on  the  29th,  went  to 
Kennebunk,  where  a  three  days'  meeting  commenced. 
The  meeting  was  held  near  tho  sea,  and  for  convenience 
was  held  in  a  barn.  The  meetings  commenced  under 
rather  discouraging  circumstances,  but  increased  in  inter- 
est, and  before  they  closed  a  revival  broke  out.  E.  Shaw, 
M.  Howe,  S.  Robbins,  and  M.  Fernald  preached.  We 
left  several  in  distress  of  mind,  seeking  the  Lord. 

July  2d,  I  returned  home,  and  on  the  3d,  brother  S. 
Robbins  preached  with  us.  On  the  memorable  4th,  the 
children  and  youth,  as  well  as  others,  met  in  the  forenoon 
at  the  Congregational  meeting  house,  where  addresses  were 
made,  particularly  on  slavery,  and  a  collection  was  taken 


232  LIFE  OF  ELDER  MAKE    FERNALD. 

to  aid  the  Colonization  Society.  In  the  afternoon,  -we  met 
at  my  usual  place  of  worship.  On  the  11th,  went  to 
Scarborough,  and  12th,  commenced  a  three  days'  meeting 
at  Portland.  Only  a  few  preachers  attended,  but  the  Lord 
Messed  us.  On  the  15th,  I  rode  to  Kennebunk  Land- 
ing, and  spoke  to  a  crowd.  The  work  of  reformation  was 
progressing.  Returned  home  on  the  16th,  and  on  the 
19th,  Elder  H.  Frost  came  to  help  us.  21st,  I  went  to 
Newton,  New  Hampshire.  22d,  preached  in  Haverhill, 
Massachusetts ;  also  23d  and  24th.  On  the  24th,  at  day- 
light, I  was  called  to  visit  a  dying  man.  I  found  him  in 
great  distress,  and  no  hope  in  Christ.  His  wife,  family, 
and  friends  could  afford  no  relief.  I  conversed  and  prayed 
with  him  twice,  but  he  complained  he  could  not  pray. 
How  important  that  the  business  of  the  soul  be  done  in 
health.  25th,  preached  at  Salisbury  Point,  from  Acts  x : 
15,  and  many  felt  the  word.  26th,  to  North  Hampton, 
and  tarried  with  Elder  Ebenezer  Leavitt.  Returned  home 
on  the  27th. 

August  3d,  visited  Haverhill  again,  and  on  the  4th, 
at  Salisbury  Point.  After  returning  home  again,  I  went 
to  Great  Falls  on  the  9th,  and  Milton  on  the  10th,  where 
a  general  meeting  was  held,  near  the  Three  Ponds.  On  the 
11th,  J.  C.  Blodgett  and  J.  Osborne  preached,  and  brother 
Robert  Mathews  was  ordained ;  after  which  I  rode  to 
Wakefield,  and  preached  in  the  evening.  12th,  went  to 
Wolf  borough  and  preached,  and  thence  to  Ossipee,  my 
wife  and  little  daughter  accompanying  me.  17th,  met  in 
a  meeting  with  brother  Way,  a  Methodist  preacher. 
18th,  attended  the  Free-will  Baptist  quarterly  meeting  at 
Alton.  19th,  baptized  W.  Cate  and  wife  at  South  Wolf- 
borough,  while  others  felt  it  their  duty  but  neglected  it. 


LIFE   OF   ELDER   MARK    FERNALD.  233 

21st,  at  8  o'clock  in  the  morning,  met  the  people  at  Tufton- 
borough,  and  after  suitable  exercises,  attended  to  the  ordi- 
nance of  baptism ;  then  to  the  town  house  at  10  and  preached, 
and  at  5  in  Wolf  borough.  On  the  22d,  I  left  the  town, 
with  strong  regard  for  the  people,  and  went  to  Rochester. 

A  four  days'  meeting  was  to  commence  at  Exeter,  on 
the  23d,  which  I  designed  to  attend,  but  the  health  of  my 
wife  and  child  seemed  to  forbid  it,  so  I  proceeded  home  on 
the  23d,  and  went  to  Exeter  on  the  25th,  and  remained 
two  days.  Thence  to  Stratham,  and  home  on  the  27th. 
31st,  took  the  packet  to  New  Market,  Lamprey  River. 

September  1st,  a  series  of  meetings  commenced  at  New 
Market.  At  first,  the  attendance  was  small.  There  was 
quite  an  excitement  in  the  place,  as  the  Universalist 
association  was  held  in  the  village  at  the  same  time,  and 
being  a  new  thing  there,  many  were  anxious  to  hear  what 
they  did  not  believe.  At  evening,  our  meeting  became 
quite  interesting,  and  several  cried  to  Heaven  for  dehver- 
ance.  On  the  2d,  a  prayer  meeting  was  held  at  eight 
o'clock  in  the  morning,  and  Elders  H.  Pottle  and  Hale 
Swett  preached  during  the  day.  At  evening,  I  preached 
to  a  crowd  who  assembled,  from  1  Peter  iv  :  17 — 19.  At 
that  meeting  I  gave  my  objections  to  Universalism.  Elder 
E.  Smith  had  preached  for  them  the  day  previous ;  and 
notwithstanding  he  had  pubhshed  his  objections  to  that 
doctrine,  and  professed  to  be  united  with  the  Christians 
for  two  or  three  years,  I  felt  bound  in  duty  to  declare 
him  not  with  us,  but  wished  he  might  get  right  once  more, 
and  if  he  died  in  three  minutes  after,  I  should  not  be  sorry. 
Having  engagements,  I  returned  home  on  the  3d,  and  on 
the  4th,  preached  thrice.  Many  felt  the  power  of  the 
20* 


234  LIFE   OF  ELDER  MARK  FERNALD. 

text,  "  Hidden  manna,  white  stone  and  new  name." 
On  the  6th,  we  commenced  a  meeting  for  four  days. 
A  number  of  preachers  attended  with  us  who  came  in  the 
fulness  of  the  gospel ;  and  many  will  ever  remember  their 
preaching  and  labors.  On  the  9th,  at  a  very  large  prayer 
meeting,  five  came  forward  for  prayers,  and  at  the  close 
of  preaching  in  the  afternoon,  thirty  or  more  arose  for 
prayers.  In  the  evening,  twelve  or  more  came  forward, 
while  many  trembled  on  their  seats,  and  two  or  more  found 
peace.  On  the  10th,  I  had  an  interesting  meeting  in  the 
afternoon,  and  on  the  11th,  which  was  the  first  day  of  the 
week,  I  preached  twice  during  the  day.  At  evening, 
brother  S.  Swett  came  to  tarry  certain  days.  Some  souls 
found  peace  in  beheving  in  the  Lord,  that  evening.  On 
the  12th,  and  13th,  the  prospects  were  not  so  encouraging, 
and  on  the  14th,  brother  Swett  concluded  to  remain  no 
longer,  but  late  that  evening  the  cloud  broke,  and  two  or 
more  found  Jesus  precious,  and  rejoiced  in  his  love.  Some 
of  our  meetings  were  good,  and  souls  fled  to  Christ,  while 
others  were  dull  and  discouraging.  Thus  we  kept  along 
through  the  month.  Elders  S.  Swett  and  S.  Nutt  helped 
us  much.  We  felt  to  praise  the  Lord,  and  take  courage. 
October  3d,  I  went  to  Hampton,  and  on  the  4th,  a  four 
days'  meeting  commenced  at  Salisbury  Point,  which  re- 
sulted in  the  revival  of  God's  work,  and  the  conversion  of 
souls.  Three  were  baptized  at  that  time.  12th,  attended 
a  similar  meeting  at  Stratham,  which  was  in  progress,  and 
the  result  was  as  glorious,  for  many  souls  were  soon  brought 
to  the  Savior.  On  the  evening  of  the  14th,  I  preached  at 
Lamprey  River.  15th,  at  Durham,  and  also  on  the  16th. 
The  revival  went  on  at  Kittery,  though  not  with  great 


LIFE   OP  ELDEK  MARK   FERNALD.  235 

power.  Brother  J.  T.  G.  Colby  preached  for  us  several 
times.  26th,  and  27th,  attended  a  meeting  of  two  days 
at  Hampton  Falls. 

In  November,  I  preached  in  Kittery,  York,  and  New 
Castle,  until  the  15th,  when  I  went  to  Brookfield  to  visit 
a  sick  woman.  The  distance  was  great,  and  the  traveling 
bad ;  but  life  was  desirable.  16th,  and  17th,  at  Wolf- 
borough.  18th,  and  19th,  at  Tuftonborough,  where  I 
preached  and  baptized.  20th,  and  21st,  attended  meet- 
ings again  in  Wolf  borough.  A  help  was  chosen  in  the 
church  according  to  1  Corinthians  xii:  28.  23d,  at 
Middleton,  and  24th,  at  Milton  and  Great  Falls.  30th,  a 
three  days'  meeting  commenced  at  New  Castle.  I  attended 
the  meetings  a  part  of  the  time. 

December  7th,  went  to  Hampton  to  a  general  meeting, 
and  on  the  8th,  at  evening,  went  to  Kensington,  to  attend 
a  meeting  of  four  days.  10th,  returned  home.  On  the 
11th,  two  youthful  couple  were  united  in  marriage,  while 
a  third  were  separating  by  death ;  our  near  neighbor, 
highly  esteemed,  was  near  death.  On  the  14th,  Joanna 
H.,  wife  of  Joseph  Seaward,  died,  aged  twenty-five  years. 
On  the  15th,  having  engaged  to  attend  a  protracted  meet- 
ing at  Durham,  I  went,  but  returned  on  the  16th,  to 
attend  the  burial  of  our  kind  neighbor.  A  throng  of  people 
attended,  although  very  cold,  and  many  wept.  Much 
could  be  said  with  truth  about  that  estimable  woman. 
From  a  child  she  was  one  of  my  hearers.  She  never 
publicly  professed  religion,  hoping  to  feel  more  divine 
power,  but  lived  a  life  of  prayer,  adorning  the  doctrine  of 
the  gospel  by  a  righteous  life.     At  the  birth  of  a  daughter, 


236  LIFE    OF   ELDER   MARK  FERNALD. 

which  bears  up  her  name,  she  fell  asleep,  I  doubt  not,  in 
Jesus. 

The  25th,  was  the  first  day  of  the  week,  but  myself  and 
family  being  sick,  I  was  confined  at  home,  which  was  the 
first  Sabbath  and  first  Christmas  I  had  not  attended  meeting 
for  years,  when  others  could  go.  I  had  time  for  reflection, 
and  looked  back  on  the  rise  and  progress  of  the  Christian 
Connection,  when  myself  and  others  commenced,  and  went 
forth  in  the  name  of  the  Lord,  poor  and  ilhterate,  knowing 
no  master  but  Christ,  no  rule  but  the  New  Testament,  and 
in  every  meeting  waiting  for  a  spiritual  manifestation  of 
present  duty.  We  had  progressed  until  we  numbered 
hundreds  of  preachers  and  thousands  of  members,  with  a 
host  of  churches  in  almost  every  state  of  the  Union.  But 
in  my  reflections  I  had  some  trouble, — the  suppression  of 
the  gifts  in  the  church  in  public  meetings,  which  we  at  first 
encouraged,  and  knew  God  approved, — the  introduction  of 
instrumental  music,  which  we  at  first  opposed  as  contrary 
to  the  New  Testament.  I  feared  that  while  we  had 
enlarged  our  borders  we  had  lost  sight  of  some  of  the 
landmarhs. 

As  the  year  closed,  I  found  I  had  traveled  twenty- two 
hundred  miles,  attended  fourteen  meetings  of  two  to  four 
days  each,  besides  preaching  nearly  every  day  through  the 
year.  My  fife  appeared  too  unprofitable,  but  I  was  not 
tired  of  it,  and  hoped  to  do  more  good  in  future,  and 
finally  be  prepared  to  die. 


LIFE   OF   ELDER   MARK   FERNALD.  237 


CHAPTER  XVII. 

DEATH  OF  ELDER  JOHN  OSBORNE — ATTENDS  SEVERAL  CON- 
FERENCES  SAMUEL  E.  BROWN  ORDAINED EXTENSIVE 

LABOR  IN  THE  TEMPERANCE  CAUSE — NEW  HAMPSHIRE 

BENEVOLENT  SOCIETY  COMMENCES JOURNEY  TO  NEW 

YORK — CONVENTION  AT  BROADALBIN,  NEW  YORK GEN- 
ERAL BOOK  ASSOCIATION  ORGANIZED. 

1832.  During  the  month  of  January,  I  labored  mostly 
in  Kittery,  occasionally  visiting  York,  Portsmouth,  and 
New  Castle.  It  being  some  sickly,  I  felt  some  encumbered 
in  administering  to  them,  as  I  was  very  frequently  called 
to  do,  but  wanted  to  do  all  I  could  for  soul  and  body. 
One  died  who  had  drank  hard,  lived  wickedly,  and  died 
suddenly,  and  who,  according  to  Scripture,  must  fare  hard. 
0,  the  effects  of  ardent  spirits  !  0,  the  folly  of  ruined 
mortals,  rushing  on  to  destruction  by  rum  !  Hell  owes 
much  of  its  enlargement  to  ardent  spirits.  Strange  that 
men,  who,  by  reason  of  drunkenness,  have  been  brought 
near  death,  should  still  persist  in  their  drunken  course. 

Continued  in  Kittery,  as  usual,  until  the  13th,  of  Feb- 
ruary, when  I  started  on  a  journey  in  New  Hampshire  ; 
went  as  far  as  Dover,  and  there  saw  the  effects  of  young 
men  commencing  business,  and  acting  the  fop,  and  doing 


238  LIFE    OF  ELDER   MARK    FERNALD. 

it  on  other  people's  money.  Vice  and  vanity  can  never 
maintain  us,  nor  can  virtue's  building  be  erected  by  vice 
and  vanity's  tools. 

I  proceeded  to  Wolf  borough,  where  I  held  several 
meetings.  My  time  was  wholly  occupied,  as  at  intermis- 
sions I  devoted  my  time  to  the  infirm.  In  company  with 
Elder  J.  T.  G.  Colby,  I  visited  Ossipee.  On  the  17th, 
as  I  was  travehng  on  a  new  road,  in  a  new  settlement  near 
the  mountain,  I  called  at  a  door,  when  I  heard  the  voice 
of  prayer,  which  bade  me  enter  silently.  I  found  a  man 
sitting  with  a  child  by  the  fire,  and  the  woman  solemnly 
praying.  After  she  closed,  I  sung,  although  a  stranger, 
for  I  felt  I  was  at  a  place  where  God's  honor  dwelt. 

I  returned  home  on  the  24th,  and  felt  my  journey  was 
profitable  to  myself  and  others.  I  helped  others,  and  they 
helped  me. 

March  2d,  I  received  the  painful  intelligence  that  Elder 
John  Osborne,  of  Lee,  New  Hampshire,  was  dead,  and  to 
be  buried  about  the  hour  I  got  the  news,  so  I  could  not  be 
at  his  burial.  He  had  been  a  faithful  man  in  the  Lord's 
vineyard,  and  had  done  much  good,  and  was  now  gone  to 
reap  his  reward,  while  many  lamented  their  loss.  He  loved 
God  and  holiness.  I  visited  a  man  that  day  who  was  sick, 
and  said  he  was  waiting  to  be  called  for,  but  loved  rum  and 
Universalism.  How  different  the  characters.  0,  the 
blindness  of  sin.  Many  will  awake  in  misery  by  decep- 
tion. 

On  the  14th,  held  a  temperance  meeting,  and  on  the 
15th,  saw  the  need  of  a  universal  temperance  society, 
while  visiting  a  poor  sick  man  in  distress  of  soul  and  body. 
As  I  approached  his  bed-side  he  exclaimed  :  "  Oh,  Elder. 


LIFE   OF   ELDER   MARK    FERNALD.  239 

if  I  was  but  in  your  pig  sty  that  I  could  be  quiet,"  while 
a  drunken  son  was  profaning  the  name  of  God  and  abusing 
his  parents.     0,  that  all  would  unite  to  suppress  the  evil. 

I  had  many  trials  of  mind,  and  a  continual  anxiety  to 
see  a  revival.  For  some  time  the  state  of  religious  feeling 
was  very  low.  At  the  close  of  the  month,  we  had  some 
quickening. 

April  1st,  we  had  a  very  large  gathering  of  people,  and 
some  were  revived.  18th,  went  to  Stratham,  and  tarried 
with  Elder  N.  Piper.  19th,  to  Haverhill,  where  my  friends 
received  me  joyfullj^,  as  by  some  mistake  they  had  seen 
my  death  in  print.  I  found  my  friend  H.  Plummer's 
only  son,  aged  twenty,  very  sick,  but  very  happy.  On 
the  21st,  he  died.  Preached  at  Haverhill  and  Newton 
several  times ;  thence  to  Salisbury,  where  I  met  with 
Elders  Peavy  and  Blodgett.  Keturned  home  and  met  with 
Elder  J.  Flanders,  who  preached  to  us,  and  on  the  29th,  I 
baptized  a  man  and  his  wife.  In  my  tour  I  took  a  violent 
cold,  which  seemingly  injured  my  hearing. 

On  the  1st  of  May  my  health  was  poor,  but  I  was  able 
to  attend  meetings.  Had  a  good  monthly  conference  at 
brother  John  Rogers',  but  had  to  work  hard  for  it,  and  this 
being  about  all  the  meeting  of  interest  we  had  had  for  some 
time,  I  concluded  to  journey  again  ;  and  on  the  15th, 
went  to  Great  Falls.  16th,  to  Wolf  borough,  where  I  tar- 
ried certain  days,  and  had  some  good,  profitable  meetings, 
which  were  well  attended.  On  the  22d,  baptized  J.  Lea- 
vitt.  23d,  to  Chestnut  Hill,  Rochester.  At  Dover  I 
found  some  revival.  Attended  the  New  Hampshire  con- 
ference at  Durham,  New  Hampshire,  on  the  25th,  and 
26th,  which  was  a  very  good  season.     On  the  29th,  30th, 


240  LIFE   OF   ELDER  MARK   FERNALD. 

and  31st,  attended  a  protracted  meeting  at  New  Market. 
It  was  a  very  rainy  time,  but  a  cloud  of  mercy  gathered 
over  us,  and  a  refreshing  rain  of  righteousness  fell.  Sev- 
eral came  forward  for  prayers,  and  a  number  found  peace  in 
believing.  During  the  rain  storm  great  damage  was  done 
on  some  rivers  by  the  freshet. 

June  1st,  I  went  to  Newton,  where  I  found  much  people 
gathered  at  my  old  home,  brother  Thomas  Currier's,  where 
his  grandson,  aged  sixteen  years,  had  just  been  buried. 
0,  mortality  !  One  month  before,  I  saw  him,  and  com- 
mended him  to  Jesus.  He  died  happy.  I  then  went  to 
the  meeting  house,  and  had  a  solemn  meeting,  and  at 
evening  twelve  related  their  experience,  for  baptism.  A 
protracted  meeting  was  in  session.  On  the  2d,  eleven 
"were  baptized  by  Elder  John  Harriman,  and  on  the  3d, 
three  more  were  to  go  forward,  when  I  left  for  Salisbury 
Point,  where  I  preached  at  evening.  Returned  to  Kittery, 
and  on  the  5th,  went  up  the  river  to  Elliot,  to  see  a  man 
who  was  sick  soul  and  body.  He  was  an  old  sailor,  and 
told  me  he  had  not  seen  the  fruit  trees  in  bloom  for  thirty- 
six  years,  being  alwa^^s  absent  at  that  season. 

July  3d,  went  to  Wells,  and  attended  a  general  meeting, 
in  the  barn  of  Joseph  Littlefield,  with  a  Congregational 
and  a  Free-will  Baptist  minister,  and  Elder  P.  Young, 
■which  resulted  in  good.  Several  came  forward  for  prayer 
to  be  offered  in  their  behalf.  12th,  went  to  Berwick, 
Great  Hill.  13th,  in  company  with  Elder  Joshua  Good- 
win, went  to  the  north  of  Sanford,  and  held  a  general 
meeting,  which  resulted  in  good.  I  returned  home  by 
the  way  of  South  Berwick,  where  I  had  some  good  meet- 
ings,  but  for   days   I   was  sorely  perplexed,  tried   and 


LIFE   OF  ELDER  MARK   FERNALD.  241 

tempted.  17th,  I  visited  an  afflicted  widow  and  sister  in 
Christ.  She  tenderly  brought  up  two  sons,  who  had  left 
her  to  range  distant  countries,  and  although  she  had  neither 
father  nor  mother,  brother  nor  sister,  nor  any  other  child, 
they  refused  to  return,  till  at  length  death  had  taken  one, 
while  the  other  could  not  be  heard  from,  and  the  mother 
was  in  the  depth  of  affliction.  0,  the  cruelty  of  children 
to  fond  parents  !     Zion  seemed  to  be  covered  with  a  cloud. 

August  3d,  visited  York,  and  preached  at  the  Neck,  so 
called.  5th,  Elder  S.  Swett  met  with  us,  and  preached. 
I  made  a  short  tour  to  Hampton,  Kensington,  and  Newton, 
New  Hampshire,  and  Salisbury  and  Haverhill,  Massachu- 
setts. In  consequence  of  the  great  alarm  occasioned  by 
the  prevalence  of  the  cholera  at  New  York,  a  Fast  was 
held  in  Massachusetts  on  the  9th.  I  was  at  Sahsbury, 
and  met  with  the  people  in  religious  exercises  on  the  occa- 
sion. A  prayer  meeting  commenced  at  five  o'clock  in  the 
morning,  also  at  nine.  Preaching  at  half  past  ten.  Bap- 
tizing at  one  o'clock,  P.  M. ;  preaching  at  three,  and 
prayer  meeting  at  six.  Of  course  we  had  but  little  inter- 
mission. 

I  met  with  brother  A.  C.  Morrison,  at  Haverhill,  and  a 
young  preacher,  also.  At  Newton,  I  found  some  fruit  as 
the  product  of  our  protracted  meeting,  held  in  June. 
Sixteen  hopeful  converts  had  come  forward,  fifteen  of  whom 
were  young  men.  At  Kensington,  a  young  brother  of 
Elder  Elijah  Shaw,  was  dead. 

When  I  arrived  home  on  the  14th,  I  found  a  worthy, 

noted  and  esteemed  church  member.  Captain  John  Went- 

worth,  sick,  but  apparently  recovering,  and  on  the  15th, 

to  my  surprise,  the  news  reached  me  that  brother  Went- 
21     - 


242  LIFE   OF   ELDER   MARK    FERNALD. 

worth  was  dead.  I  hastened  to  his  house,  and  found  it 
true.  He  was  a  man  of  great  usefulness.  But  death  has 
no  respect  to  persons.  16th,  attended  his  burial,  when 
many  tears  were  shed.  17th,  attended  a  court  at  York, 
with  some  old  pensioners  of  '76.  Kept  about  my  business 
the  remainder  of  the  month.  Had  much  church  labor  to 
perform.  I  found  hearsay  a  tattler,  but  tattle-tongue  is 
never  still,  and  hearsay  can  never  be  overtaken. 

September  3d,  left  home  to  attend  the  Strafford  con- 
ference at  Wolf  borough,  which  commenced  on  the  5th.  I 
preached  several  times  during  the  session,  and  visited 
different  neighborhoods,  but  I  found  my  attendance  on  the 
sick  was  a  great  hindrance  to  me,  and  concluded  if  I  could 
righteously  do  it,  I  would  never  administer  to  the  sick 
again.  In  my  labors,  I  dealt  faithfully  with  hard  drinkers, 
and  other  sinful  characters.  On  the  10th,  I  preached  at 
Alton.  There  I  found  sister  Coffin  near  death.  I  could 
do  nothing  but  pray.  I  passed  through  Gilmanton  to 
Sanbornton,  and  preached.  My  mind  was  led  to  describe 
various  things  which  existed,  though  I  knew  nothing  of  the 
circumstances  till  afterward.  12th,  went  to  Andover,  to 
attend  a  general  meeting.  At  that  meeting,  brothers  E. 
Shaw  and  S.  Swett  declining  to  preach,  I  rose  and  named 
a  text,  talked  a  few  minutes,  and  it  left  me.  I  was  con- 
vinced it  was  my  duty  to  sit  down,  and  did  so.  I  told  the 
people  the  cause,  and  also  told  them  I  wished  no  one  to 
speak  for  me  when  I  felt  duty.  Brethren  Shaw  and  Swett 
preached,  and  had  a  good  time.  I  preached  with  freedom 
that  evening,  and  the  next  day,  and  the  evening  following 
preached  at  Gershom  Durgin's,  while  many  felt  the  word. 
Thus  the  people  and  myself  saw  my  dependence  on  the 


LIFE   OP   ELDER  MARK   FERNALD.  248 

good  Spirit.  14th,  went  to  Wilmot,  New  London  and 
Springfield.  Elders  Shaw,  Morrison  and  myself  put  up 
with  Benjamin  Colby.  15th,  to  Croydon  and  Grantham, 
where  a  general  meeting  was  held.  The  people  of  several 
societies  met,  and  had  good  union.  Elder  J.  Flagg,  a 
Free-will  Baptist  preacher  manifested  much  Christian  love 
and  friendship.  The  meeting  continued  on  the  16th,  and 
our  enemies  had  an  opportunity  to  hear  our  doctrine.  At 
evening,  brother  Robert  Foster,  of  Portsmouth,  went  with 
me  to  Joseph  Sanborn's,  Springfield,  where  I  preached. 
On  the  17th,  at  evening,  preached  at  Jesse  Flanders',  and 
on  the  18th,  I  left  a  youth  of  thirteen,  sick  and  far  gone. 
We  passed  on  to  Grafton,  over  a  most  indescribable  road 
for  three  miles.  I  told  brother  Foster  we  must  not  adhere 
to  the  old  parable,  "  not  to  turn  to  the  right  or  left,"  for 
we  had  reached  the  end  of  the  road,  and  must  turn  into  a 
field.  On  the  19th,  a  general  meeting  commenced  at 
Grafton.  I  preached  in  the  morning,  and  at  evening 
attended  meeting  in  another  neighborhood.  That  night  I 
was  taken  quite  sick.  However,  on  the  20th,  I  took  some 
medicine,  and  a  crowd  coming  out  to  hear  me,  I  took  a 
sweat  while  I  sounded  long  and  loud  on  faith  and  repent- 
ance. At  intermission,  brother  Morrison  baptized  three. 
Fearing  I  might  be  sick,  and  my  duty  calling  me  home,  I 
rode  to  Andover,  and  on  the  21st,  proceeded  to  Northwood, 
while  others  went  to  Loudon  to  hold  a  two  days'  meeting 
there.  After  returning  home,  I  attended  to  such  duties 
as  I  met. 

October  3d,  I  preached  at  York,  at  Elder  P.  Young's, 
after  which  a  woman  related  her  experience,  and  we  re- 
paired to  York  river,  and  I  baptized  her.     On  the   13th,  I 


244  LIFE   OF   ELDER  MARK    FERNALD. 

went  to  Madbury,  to  attend  a  meeting  of  two  days,  and  as 
no  preachers  attended  excepting  those  residing  in  the 
vicinity,  it  seemed  to  devolve  on  me  to  do  the  most  of  the 
preaching.  I  felt  that  I  did  my  duty,  but  whether  the 
people  answered  their  conscience  or  not,  I  cannot  tell.  I 
received  half  a  dollar  toward  paying  my  tolls. 

On  the  17th,  the  Rockingham  conference  commenced  its 
session  at  Kittery.  The  meetings  continued  three  days, 
and  the  result  was  glorious.  On  the  19th,  twenty  rose  to 
request  prayers  in  their  behalf.  The  people  were  re- 
minded of  their  duty  to  assist  the  preachers,  and  they 
contributed  twelve  dollars  besides  private  donations,  which 
pleased  me  much.  During  the  preceding  year  I  had  at- 
tended thirteen  or  fourteen  such  meetings,  and  received 
between  thirty  and  forty  cents  for  my  services  at  each 
meeting,  or  in  the  towns  where  the  meetings  were  held. 

In  November,  I  labored  with  all  my  might  in  town  and 
out,  both  in  preaching  and  visiting,  attending  on  the  sick, 
and  at  burials.  I  attended  a  protracted  meeting  at  Strat- 
ham.  On  the  evening  of  the  9th,  preached  at  Elder 
Merrill's,  Stratham. 

In  December,  I  labored  very  much  as  I  did  in  Novem- 
ber. I  felt  seriously  the  ingratitude  of  men.  Saw  much 
of  the  eiFects  of  intemperance,  and  did  what  I  could  to 
suppress  it.  During  the  month,  one  man  among  us  died  a 
slave  to  distilled  spirits.  When  I  admonished  him  of  dying 
unprepared,  and  spoke  of  his  past  hfe,  he  repHed,  "  dread- 
ful indeed,"  and  said  no  more  ;  but  in  two  hours  he  was 
dead.  As  the  year  closed,  my  mind  was  burdened  with 
the  wants  of  my  race. 

1833.     January  1st,  I  visited  ;  the  traveling  prevented 


LIFE   OF  ELDER  MARK    FERNALD.  245 

the  people  from  attending  meeting,  although  neither  the 
weather  nor  traveling  would  prevent  them  from  their 
worldly  business.  How  much  more  attention  is  paid  to 
the  body  than  soul.  Lord,  open  men's  eyes.  In  the 
middle  of  the  month  a  revival  commenced  in  the  southwest 
part  of  the  town,  near  the  Navy  Yard,  while  the  cause  of 
temperance  gained  strength.  The  revival  progressed,  and 
several  were  converted  before  the  close  of  the  month,  which 
greatly  encouraged  my  heart,  and  raised  my  drooping 
spirits.  The  field  seemed  to  be  ripe  in  other  parts  of  the 
town,  but  a  backwardness  on  the  part  of  the  church  pre- 
vented a  revival  from  breaking  forth.  Often,  honest 
Christians  stand  in  the  way  of  the  work  of  God. 

In  February,  the  work  of  the  Lord  spread  some  in  town, 
and  also  in  York.  Some  were  converted,  and  at  a  number 
of  meetings  many  presented  themselves  for  the  prayers  of 
God's  people.  I  have  often  had  to  endure  a  trial  of  mind 
by  reason  of  the  labors  of  some  preachers  and  other  per- 
sons in  time  of  revival.  The  course  pursued  is,  when  the 
soul  in  distress  is  bowed,  crying  for  mercy,  the  ojyerator 
will  go  and  whisper  to  them,  and  if  they  feel  in  the  least 
better,  they  tell  them  to  rejoice,  while  the  whisperer  and 
others  will  set  up  a  shout  of  "  glory,  another  is  converted," 
when  the  poor,  guilty  soul  has  no  evidence  of  pardon,  save 
what  the  teacher  has  given.     Souls  are  thus  deceived. 

Brother  Boothby  visited  us,  and  labored  with  us,  and  at 
New  Castle,  as  he  was  wont  to  do,  to  good  acceptance. 
On  the  20th,  I  baptized  one  in  the  southwest  part  of  the 
town.  26th,  I  left  for  a  visit  in  the  country.  Went  as 
far  as  Tuftonborough,  preaching  as  I  went. 

March  8th,  I  returned  home,  and  the  9th,  filled  up  my 
21* 


246  LIFE   OF   ELDER  MARK   FERNALD. 

fortj-ninth  year.  How  fleeting  my  days,  and  how  little  I 
accomplish.  The  more  I  see  and  hear  of  the  world,  the 
less  confidence  I  have  in  man.  The  Lord  helped  me  much, 
all  praise  to  His  glorious  name.  The  cause  demanding  a 
vigorous  effort,  I  had  meetings  in  all  parts  of  the  town 
daily,  which  gave  me  much  travel,  but  I  gained  much 
victory,  for  the  Lord  was  good  to  me.  On  the  24th,  I 
was  called  to  attend  the  burial  of  brother  Joseph  Manson, 
a  church  member,  aged  ninety-two,  at  the  southwest  part 
of  the  town.  In  several  of  our  meetings,  Elders  Ewing 
and  Banister,  Methodist  brethren,  and  myself,  united  la- 
bors, for  "it  is  good  for  brethren  to  dwell  together  in 
unity." 

April  1st,  had  a  temperance  meeting.  On  the  2d, 
went  to  Dover  on  business,  and  on  the  3d,  heard  Nancy 
Towle  preach,  who  had  returned  from  Europe.  Not  being 
very  well,  I  went  into  hard  labor,  as  I  found  hard  labor  a 
good  medicine  for  me.  24th,  went  to  Kensington  to  attend 
the  April  session  of  the  Rockingham  conference,  which 
was  very  harmonious.  Several  preachers  joined  us  at  that 
time,  and  brother  Samuel  E.  Brown  was  ordained  to  the 
work  of  the  ministry.  I  then  visited  the  church  at  Hamp- 
ton Falls. 

In  May,  I  attended  my  duties  as  usual,  but  saw  no 
special  move  in  church  and  society,  yet"  some  remained 
steadfast,  and  were  in  the  work  of  God  in  a  good  degree. 
In  several  of  our  meetings  the  Lord  blessed  us.  On  the 
30th,  I  went  to  Milton,  where  the  New  Hampshire  confer- 
ence met  on  the  31st,  at  brother  Pinkham's.  One  old 
brother  wished  to  leave  us,  because  God's  sentence  on 
Adam,  as  named  in  Genesis,  did  not  prove  to  him  future 


LIFE   OF  ELDER  MARK   FERNALD.  247 

punishment ;  it  proved  to  him  there  would  be  none.  I 
informed  him  that  Adam  was  not  taught  there  was  a  heaven, 
hell,  resurrection,  immortahty,  or  eternal  life  ;  and  silence 
on  future  punishment  no  more  proved  it  untrue,  than 
silence  on  all  I  had  named  proved  them  untrue.  They 
were  hid  in  God,  and  brought  to  light  by  Christ  in  the 
gospel. 

June  1st,  and  2d,  attended  a  general  meeting  at  Mid- 
dleton.  3d,  visited  Wakefield,  and  crossed  over  into  the 
state  of  Maine,  at  Lebanon,  where  a  similar  meeting  was 
holden  in  Lemuel  Goodwin's  barn,  commencing  on  the  4th. 
Many  had  been  converted  there  under  the  labors  of  Elder 
E.  H.  Peavey.  Elders  S.  Swett,  Samuel  E.  Brown,  and 
myself  preached,  and  then  I  left.  Several  preachers  were 
in  attendance,  and  continued  the  meetings.  On  the  14th, 
I  went  to  Exeter,  New  Hampshire,  and  preached  in  the 
evening,  thence  to  Salisbury,  Massachusetts,  visiting  Ken- 
sington, and  Amesbury,  by  the  way.  Had  some  very 
effectual  meetings.  Proceeded  to  Haverhill,  where  I 
preached  on  the  18th  and  19th  ;  20th,  to  Bradford  and 
Newburyport,  and  at  evening  at  Newbury.  21st,  to 
Hampton  Falls.  I  then  returned  home,  feeling  that  my 
labors  were  not  in  vain. 

To  the  close  of  the  month  I  held  meetings  in  and  out  of 
town,  preaching  the  word,  the  Lord  confirming  the  same. 
In  all  my  preaching,  I  endeavored  to  preach  a  full  gospel, 
reasoning  of  righteousness,  temperance,  and  a  judgment  to 
come.  Rumsellers  and  drunkards  never  appeared  to  like 
my  preaching,  somehow  or  other,  only  occasionally  one 
would  wake  up  and  be  honest,  and  acknowledge  I  told  the 
truth. 


248  LIFE   OP   ELDER   MARK    FERNALD. 

July  1st  and  2d,  I  remained  about  home,  and  on  the 
3d,  agreeably  to  an  engagement,  went  to  Wolfborough, 
and  on  the  4th,  gave  an  address  on  temperance.  It  being 
the  anniversary  of  the  American  Independence,  and  a  steam- 
boat, appearing  on  Lake  Winnipiseogee,  brought  together 
a  great  crowd.  The  people  usually  heard  with  great 
candor,  and  some  with  joy  and  pleasure,  and  all  manifested 
their  satisfaction  by  a  good  contribution.  I  then  proceeded 
to  Tuftonborough  Corner,  where  I  had  agreed  to  speak  on 
the  same  subject  in  the  Methodist  meeting  house.  I 
found  some  hard  cases,  for  some  were  determined  to 
"tipple."  I  was  made  sorrowful  to  find  that  a  few  good 
friends  had  left  my  meetings  because  I  had  answered  my 
conviction  of  duty  in  speaking  on  the  subject  of  temperance. 

On  the  8th,  I  preached  at  Great  Falls.  On  my  return 
home,  I  met  with  an  aged  Scotchman.  A  good  report 
followed  him,  which  is  the  best  of  credentials. 

In  August,  I  found  enough  to  do,  and  so  I  kept  at 
work.  I  have  often  wondered  when  I  heard  people  say 
they  had  nothing  to  do.  I  always  saw  more  work  to  do 
than  I  could  attend  to,  and  always  some  way  to  get  at  it. 
On  the  2 2d,  visited  Wells,  where  I  preached  in  the  after- 
noon, and  Elder  G.  F.  Sanborn  in  the  evening,  to  much 
people.  23d,  we  commenced  a  meeting  of  days  at  Ken- 
nebunk,  where  our  friends  had  built  a  new  meeting  house. 
The  meetings  were  good.  On  the  25th,  I  baptized  two. 
I  attended  nineteen  meetings  in  eight  days.  Returning,  I 
preached  by  the  way,  and  visited  the  well,  the  sick,  and 
the  dying. 

September  2d,  went  to  Rochester,  thence  by  the  way  of 
Wolfborough  to  Tuftonborough,  where  the  Strafford  confer- 


LIFE    OF   ELDER  MARK   FERNALD.  249 

ence  held  a  session.  After  holding  several  meetings,  which 
were  profitable,  we  went  to  Gilmanton  on  the  7th,  and  held 
a  general  meeting.  There  being  a  good  supply  of  preach- 
ers, I  went  to  Alton  in  the  evening,  and  brother  A.  C. 
Morrison  to  Barnstead,  and  on  the  evening  of  the  8th,  I 
went  to  Barnstead.  These  meetings  were  blessed  of  the 
Lord.  On  the  12th,  arrived  home.  On  the  13th,  I 
preached  in  the  southwest  part  of  the  town.  I  felt  my 
usual  freedom  in  preaching  the  cross  of  Christ.  26th, 
brother  J.  Harriman  and  myself  preached  in  Exeter  to  a 
revived  church.  27th,  at  New  Market,  Lamprey  River. 
We  had  joy  in  the  Lord,  but  an  old  professor  of  religion,  who 
loved  rum  and  was  some  distracted,  disturbed  the  meeting 
by  praising  the  preaching,  and  was  violently  put  out  into 
the  street ;  so  I  saw  a  revival  of  good  and  evil.  28th,  and 
29th,  attended  meetings  at  Durham,  in  company  with 
others. 

October  1st,  I  went  to  South  Berwick,  where  I  had 
gathered  a  church  twenty-four  years  before,  and  which 
had  stood  through  several  severe  storms,  and  a  shock  of  an 
air  quake  caused  by  a  religious  delusion  called  "  Cochran- 
ism."  A  want  of  proper  zeal  had  prevented  their  build- 
ing a  house  of  worship,  although  brother  Folsom  of  Ports- 
mouth, New  Hampshire,  who  owned  property  in  South 
Berwick,  had  made  them  generous  offers.  As  they  had  no 
house  of  worship  they  wanted  to  give  up  their  visibility  as 
a  church.  I  with  others  had  labored  to  keep  them  together 
as  a  church,  but  in  vain  ;  so  they  concluded  to  discontinue 
a  church,  and  I  took  the  book  of  records  which  I  gave 
them.     Self!  thou  art  an  enemy  to  Christ. 

I  returned  home,  and  labored,  and  on  the  18th,  I  felt  a 


250  LIFE   OP  ELDER  MARK   FERNALD. 

special  crj  for  a  revival,  for  rum  drinkers  and  retailers 
were  raising  the  Devil  in  many  hearts.  Attended  the 
Rockingham  conference  at  Ogimquit,  Wells,  which  com- 
menced on  the  23d,  with  the  church  of  York  and  Wells. 
They  had  been  organized  but  a  few  years,  but  they  had 
built  a  convenient  house  for  worship,  and  united  with  the 
conference.  The  Lord  blessed  our  meetings.  28th,  to 
Hampton  Falls,  New  Hampshire,  and  29th,  to  Haverhill, 
where  brethren  Howe,  Pierce,  Knight,  Rollins,  Brown, 
Blodgett,  and  myself  attended  a  series  of  meetings.  Two 
were  baptized,  several  requested  prayers,  and  victory  was 
gained. 

November  2d,  I  went  to  Candia,  New  Hampshire,  and 
on  the  3d,  preached  there.  On  the  4th,  I  visited  the  sick, 
where  I  was  urged  to  take  twenty-five  cents  from  a  feeble 
youth,  which  was  the  first  donation,  through  two  protracted 
meetings,  and  one  Sabbath,  with  ninety-five  miles'  travel. 
0,  the  want  of  consideration  on  the  part  of  many  people, 
who  want  preachers  to  travel,  and  visit  them.  Went  to 
Concord  and  preached  on  the  evening  of  the  4th.  5th, 
to  Franklin  and  Andover,  and  attended  the  Merrimack 
conference.  I  preached  on  the  evening  of  the  6th,  to  a 
very  solemn  assembly.  On  the  7th,  the  assembly  was  very 
large,  and  the  meeting  was  of  unusual  feeling  and  interest. 
I  took  that  occasion  to  vindicate  the  worship  of  Christ  as 
the  Son  of  God.  The  Free-will  Baptists  and  others  were 
free  to  publish  their  catechisms,  &c.,  &c.,  whereby  they 
state  that  if  Christ  is  not  the  true  God,  it  is  idolatry  to 
worship  him,  and  by  which  thousands  of  true  worshipers 
are  involved  in  the  charge  of  idolatry.  I  told  them,  for 
my  evidence  I  would  appeal  to  Heaven,  and  then  read  a 


LIFE   OF  ELDER  MARK    FERNALD.  251 

part  of  the  5th  and  6th  chapters  of  Revelation,  where  the 
four  beasts,  or  hving  creatures,  the  four  and  twenty  Elders, 
and  ten  thousand  times  ten  thousand,  and  thousands  of 
thousands,  worshiped  the  Lamb  as  slain,  and  redeeming 
them  to  God.  Christ  was  worshiped  as  a  Lamb  slain,  not 
as  the  Eternal  God. 

On  the  8th,  I  went  to  Franklin  Village,  where  I 
preached  at  evening.  There  I  found  the  people  in  search 
of  a  man  who  had  put  up  his  horse  and  carriage  there,  and 
while  in  pursuit  of  rum,  or  under  its  influence,  was  lost, 
and  supposed  drowned.  Rum,  thou  hast  slain  thy  tens  of 
thousands.  9th  and  10th,  was  at  Sanbornton,  where  the 
people  had  built  a  new  meeting  house,  in  which  we  held 
meetings  two  days.  The  people  contributed  to  our  neces- 
sities. On  the  evening  of  the  10th,  by  request,  I  preached 
in  New  Chester,  at  the  Academy.  On  the  11th,  preached 
again  in  Franklin,  Factory  Village,  but  under  some  em- 
barrassment. These  meetings  were  good  and  profitable. 
At  some  of  them  the  Lord  gave  me  great  freedom. 

On  the  13th,  I  returned  home,  having  been  absent  six- 
teen days,  traveled  two  hundred  miles,  and  attended  thirty 
meetings.  There  were  some  signs  of  a  revival  in  Kittery. 
On  the  28th,  a  man  spoke  for  God  who  had  been  a  sot  to 
his  appetite,  but  then  a  hopeful  convert. 

December  2d  and  3d,  the  travehng  was  bad,  but  reli- 
gious slothfulness  worse.  My  soul  was  sick  of  vain  excuses. 
People  can  go  where  business  calls  them,  in  nearly  all  de- 
grees of  weather  and  travehng,  but  will  not  go  to  meeting 
to  serve  the  Lord.  Visited  from  house  to  house,  and 
preached  in  different  neighborhoods  ;  saw  some  good  done. 
I  labored,  and  in  some  respects  successfully,  in  the  cause 


252  LIFE   OF   ELDkR   MARK   FERNALD. 

of  temperance,  while  preaching  against  intemperance.  Rum 
is  a  tool  of  satan  to  destroy  Hves  and  souls.  On  the  27th, 
our  good  old  Scottish  missionary  preached  on  drinking  from 
the  text :  "  One  sinner  destroyeth  much  good."  The 
Lord  gave  the  juice  to  cane,  but  man  made  rum.  On  the 
23d,  Elders  Shaw  and  Coe  preached  to  us.  As  the  year 
closed,  I  was  at  home  with  my  family,  enjoying  undeserved 
favors.  I  mourned  over  my  unprofitableness,  but  could 
say  I  had  labored  as  hard  as  I  could  to  do  good,  laboring 
with  my  hands  and  preaching  night  and  day. 

1834.  January  1st,  I  visited  the  sick,  and  then 
preached  to  the  well.  5th,  Elder  E.  H.  Peavey  preached 
to  us.  8th,  preached  in  the  southwest  part  of  the  town  at 
Capt.  Samuel  Badger's,  where  about  thirty  ship  carpen- 
ters attended.  On  the  12th,  it  was  stormy,  but  I  went  to 
the  meeting  house,  where  I  found  the  sexton,  with  whom  I 
sung  and  prayed.  14th,  went  to  Rye,  and  gave  an 
address  on  temperance,  to  a  large  assembly.  15th,  went 
to  Stratham,  to  the  burial  of  Elder  Henry  Pottle,  who  died 
suddenly  on  the  11th,  with  a  difficulty  about  the  heart. 
The  funeral  was  attended  by  a  very  numerous  body  of 
people  and  preachers.  The  early  part  of  his  ministry  had 
been  very  successful,  and  so  was  the  last  part  of  it.  At 
evening,  I  preached  at  Elder  N.  Piper's.  16th,  preached 
at  Hampton.  17th,  preached  at  Hampton  Falls,  and  gave 
an  address  against  intemperance.  From  the  21st,  to  the 
25th,  it  was  very  cold,  and  having  sickness  in  my  family, 
I  failed  of  meeting  my  appointments.  30th,  preached  at 
a  burial  on  an  island.  I  spoke  very  plainly,  as  the  father 
and  grandfather  were  tij^plers,  or  worse,  and  the  grave- 
digger  was  too  drunk  to  attend  the  filling  of  the  grave. 


LIFE   OF   ELDER   MARK    FERNALD.  253 

0,  the  curse  and  ruin  caused  by  strong  drink,  and  yet 
many  plead  for  its  use. 

February  Ist,  and  2d,  attended  burials,  and  on  the  3d, 
journeyed  to  Wakefield  and  tarried  with  some  true  be- 
lievers at  brother  D.  Waldron's.  4th,  to  Brookfield,  and 
thence  to  Wolfborough  to  attend  the  Strafford  conference, 
which  commenced  on  the  6th.  I  met  some  opposition  from 
one  who  had  been  my  best  friend,  because  of  my  labors  for 
temperance  societies.  The  meetings  were  some  interest- 
ing, especially  on  the  7th,  when  brother  Ides,  from  the 
woods  of  Canada,  spoke  wonderfully.  I  visited  and 
preached  in  the  towns  round  about  Wolfborough,  not 
sparing  the  rummies.  There  was  some  appearance  of  a 
revival  in  the  vicinity  of  the  Bridge,  but  my  engagements 
called  me  home  on  the  13th.  14th,  went  to  New  Castle 
with  our  old  missionary,  and  had  a  large  temperance 
meeting.  We  had  some  good  meetings,  but  I  could  not 
feel  as  I  did  previous  to  leaving  Wolfborough,  and  wished 
myself  back.  27th,  went  to  York,  and  28th,  to  Ports- 
mouth, where  I  preached  at  the  old  Assembly  house.  A 
general  revival  was  in  progress  there. 

In  March,  we  had  some  reviving,  and  the  revival  at 
Portsmouth  continued.  On  the  9th,  I  completed  my  fif- 
tieth year,  and  a  plenty  of  employ  was  still  before  me. 
Visited  a  httle  in  New  Hampshire  and  the  east  of  Massa- 
chusetts. Attended  a  protracted  meeting  at  Salisbury, 
where  many  were  seeking  the  Lord,  and  some  found  peace. 
The  work  was  glorious  in  that  region.  Souls  were  daily 
added  to  the  Lord.  27th,  and  28th,  attended  a  protract- 
ed meeting  with  brother  Howe,  at  Portsmouth,  which  was 

attended  with  a  glorious  result ;  scores  came  forward  for 

22 


254  LIFE   OF   ELDER   MARK    FERNALD. 

prayers.  31st,  had  a  temperance  address,  after  which  we 
took  up  a  collection  for  a  poor  fatherless  boy,  whom  we 
wished  to  assist  toward  a  house,  as  labor  had  been  offered 
him  if  he  would  renounce  the  cause  of  temperance.  We 
overdid  our  enemies,  and  the  cause  gained  strength. 

In  April,  I  preached  in  Kitterj  and  Portsmouth  each 
day  or  evening  until  the  9th,  when  I  went  to  Hampton 
Falls.  10th,  delivered  an  address  on  temperance  at  Sea- 
brook,  thence  to  Exeter  to  attend  a  protracted  meeting, 
which  was  good.  Returned  home,  and  had  many  meet- 
ings, in  which  much  was  felt,  but  little  obeyed.  21st, 
visited  Exeter  again.  23d,  met  in  the  Spring  session  of 
the  Rockingham  conference,  at  the  house  of  brother  Na- 
than Moulton,  Hampton  Falls.  There  was  a  severe,  cold 
rain,  yet  many  met  in  conference,  but  many  were  prevented 
from  attending  the  public  meetings  which  were  held  on  the 
two  following  days.  There  was  quite  an  interest.  We 
agreed  to  change  the  time  of  holding  our  sessions  of  con- 
ference to  the  first  Wednesday  in  March,  and  second 
Wednesday  in  September. 

In  May,  the  good  work  of  reformation  went  on  in  Ports- 
mouth. On  the  4th,  I  baptized  three  there,  which  made 
forty  that  were  baptized  in  the  place  that  day.  5th,  went 
to  Kennebunk  to  attend  a  protracted  meeting,  with  Elders 
Boothby,  Shaw,  and  Coe.  The  Baptist  and  Congrega- 
tional preachers  and  people  helped  much,  and  showed 
Christian  spirit  and  conduct  through  the  whole.  On  the 
9th,  I  preached  at  Ogunquit,  and  also  at  York,  south  side 
of  the  river.  Much  seemed  to  be  felt  in  our  meetings,  but 
it  appeared  hard  for  man  to  love  Christ's  cross,  and  follow 
him  wilHngly.     I  remained  at  home  a  few  days,  and  on 


LIFE   OF   ELDER   MARK   FERNALD.  255 

the  22d,  started  on  a  tour  in  New  Hampshire.  23d,  ar- 
rived at  Contoocook  river  and  stopped  over  night.  24th, 
to  the  west  of  Boscawen,  where  a  general  meeting  was 
holden. 

On  the  25th,  it  being  the  first  day  of  the  week,  I  re- 
mained at  Boscawen  during  the  day,  and  preached  at 
Sahsbury  in  the  evening.  26th,  attended  the  annual 
session  of  the  New  Hampshire  conference,  which  was 
holden  at  Boscawen.  The  business  went  on  slowly,  as 
there  was  not  an  agreement  about  some  general  measures, 
particularly  a  general  book  association.  However,  no  trial 
arose,  and  we  parted  with  brotherly  feeling,  although 
some,  if  they  can't  have  their  own  way,  will  have  no  way. 
27th,  to  Northwood,  and  had  some  good  meetings.  28th, 
passed  a  tavern  where  a  youth  lay  dead  from  having  his 
skull  broken  by  the  kick  of  an  unruly  horse.  How  un- 
certain is  life. 

June  1st  to  the  4th,  I  preached  in  diiFerent  neighbor- 
hoods in  Kittery,  and  saw  some  revival.  On  the  5th,  I 
went  to  Newton  to  attend  a  protracted  meeting.  Re- 
mained there  two  days,  and  feeling  the  necessity  of  being 
at  home,  I  hastened  away,  and  mj  haste  caused  me  a  waste 
of  six  miles  travel  back  after  a  lost  surtout.  I  arrived 
home  late,  but  a  good  meeting  and  reception  of  a  youth 
for  baptism,  rewarded  me.  8th,  I  preached  thrice  and 
baptized  one,  while  several  requested  prayers  and  cried 
aloud  themselves  for  pardon.  10th,  one  obtained  hope. 
Many  were  enquiring,  but  there  was  a  great  lack  of  spirit- 
uality among  professors.  29th,  Elder  S.  E.  Brown 
preached  in  my  stead,  and  I  preached  at  York,  where  a 
revival  commenced.     Several  were  converted  in  Kittery 


256  LIFE   OF  ELDER   MARK    FERNALD. 

before  the  close  of  the  month,  which  greatly  encouraged 
mj  heart. 

In  July,  the  work  of  reformation  progressed,  and  several 
obtained  hope,  but  there  was  too  much  indifference  on  the 
part  of  old  professors.  I  preached  also  in  York,  where 
some  were  disposed  to  mind  their  ways^  although  the 
high-ways  between  Kittery  and  York  were  bad  almost  be- 
yond description.     On  the  20th,  I  baptized  at  Kittery. 

An  arrangement  was  made  whereby  the  Christian  socie- 
ty was  to  occupy  the  north  meeting  house  one  Sabbath  in 
each  month,  which  they  had  never  done  before.  That 
gave  a  new  impulse  to  the  cause.  On  the  27th,  I  preached 
there  thrice  to  a  full  and  solemn  assembly,  and  then  had  a 
fourth  meeting  in  another  neighborhood,  which  was  glorious. 

August  2d,  attended  our  seventh-day  conference,  but 
many  that  we  expected  to  relate  their  experience  for  bap- 
tism kept  back,  which  was  not  right.  However,  on  the 
9th,  seven  came  forward,  and  on  the  10th,  I  baptized  them. 
Among  the  number,  was  the  mother  of  G.  M.  Payne  and 
Mary  Ann,  his  only  sister,  and  Joseph  H.  Moore,  a  rela- 
tive and  particular  friend  of  his,  all  of  York.  On  the 
12th,  baptized  four.  While  the  converts  were  relating 
their  minds,  a  heavy  squall,  accompanied  by  thunder  and 
lightning,  commenced,  which  produced  a  deep  solemnity, 
but  they  spake  boldly.  It  cleared  off  and  they  were  bap- 
tized in  fair  weather. 

On  the  19th,  I  started  for  Wolf  borough.  I  found 
a  good  attention  to  religion  and  some  converts.  22d, 
to  Tuftonborough,  and  met  with  Elder  D.  Cilley.  Having 
received  a  request  to  attend  the  Free-will  Baptist  quarterly 
meeting  on  the  23d,  at  Tuftonborough,   I   concluded  to 


LIFE   OF  ELDER  MARK    FERNALD.  257 

attend,  althougli,  for  proper  reasons,  I  had  thought  it  best 
for  me  never  to  attend  another.  The  leading  brethren 
wished  me  to  act  as  at  home  and  preach  freely,  as  they 
would  not  show  a  sectarian  spirit.  The  Lord  helped  me ; 
the  brethren  cried  amen,  and  I  think  no  harm  was  done, 
but  some  good.  On  the  24th,  I  preached  twice  at  the 
meeting  house,  once  at  Pine  Hill  school  house,  and  had  a 
fourth  preach  at  the  Academy.  At  the  third  meeting  I 
was  pleased  with  the  remarks  of  an  aged  colored  woman. 
She  said,  "  when  I  was  converted  and  made  happy,  a 
young  miss  (called  a  lady)  said,  "  if  Dinah  goes  to  Heav- 
en, I'll  be  damned  if  I  do."  Dinah  said  she  requested 
the  mother  to  say  to  the  daughter,  "  No  black  soul  will 
ever  go  to  Heaven,  and  no  white  soul  will  ever  go  to  hell, 
and  Jesus  has  washed  my  soul  white."  If  language  is 
fruit,  and  by  their  fruits  we  are  to  know  them,  I  should 
judge  by  Dinah's  language,  her  soul  was  white  ;  but  that 
the  young  miss's  soul  was  black.  I  preached  many  times 
in  Tuftonborough  and  Wolf  borough  until  the  27th,  when  I 
preached  at  Mink  Brook,  for  Professor  Beach,  who  was 
called  away,  and  then  started  for  home,  where  I  found  the 
revival  going  on. 

September  9th,  attended  a  meeting  at  York,  with  other 
preachers,  at  Joel  Haley's.  10th,  to  Wells,  Ogunquit,  to 
attend  the  Rockingham  conference.  Had  a  good  attend- 
ance, and  business  went  well.  At  that  conference  we 
made  a  start  for  the  New  Hampshire  Christian  Benevolent 
Society.  We  made  a  good  start,  and  have  since  prospered 
wonderfully.  The  meetings  were  good,  and  the  Congrega- 
tional preacher  and  brethren  attended  a  part  of  the  time, 

manifesting  an  interest  which   was  Chris tian-hke.     Re- 

22* 


258  LIFE    OF   ELDER   MARK    FERNALD. 

turned  home,  and  on  the  19th,  went  to  Amesbury  Mills, 
Massachusetts,  where  I  met  brother  David  Swett  and  his 
brother  Simeon,  and  had  a  good  meeting.  20th,  to  Salis- 
bury Point,  on  an  exchange  with  Elder  Richard  Davis. — 
22d,  preached  in  Newbury,  in  the  same  house  where  El- 
der David  Marks  preached  a  few  days  before,  and  was 
disturbed  badly  by  a  tumultuous  mob.  I  reproved  the  dis- 
turbance and  had  a  still  time,  while  much  of  the  good  spir- 
it was  felt.  On  the  26th,  I  preached  at  Newbury  again, 
and  received  a  contribution.  24th,  I  was  at  Bradford  and 
Haverhill,  and  25th  at  Newton.  Returned  home,  attended 
some  meetings,  and  the  month  closed. 

October  8th,  left  Kittery  and  journeyed  to  Portsmouth, 
Newington,  Durham,  Nottingham  to  North  wood,  thirty-six 
miles.  9th,  to  Chichester,  Loudon  Mills,  Canterbury, 
Shaker  Tillage,  Northfield  to  Sanbornton,  twenty-seven 
miles,  in  a  rain.  10th,  to  the  North  meeting-house,  and 
delivered  an  address  on  temperance ;  thence  to  the  east 
part  of  Franklin  and  preached  :  an  unusually  cold,  windy 
day.  11th,  and  12th,  E.  Shaw,  A.  C.  Morrison,  B.  Cal- 
ley  and  myself  attended  a  general  meeting  at  Franklin 
Village,  which  was  well  attended  and  interesting.  The 
Congregational  and  Unitarian  societies  kindly  let  us  the 
use  of  their  meeting  house.  In  the  evenings  preached 
three  miles  up  the  river.  The  people  contributed  seven- 
teen dollars  to  assist  Elder  A.  C.  Morrison,  whom  they 
sent  a  messenger  to  meet  in  the  Convention  in  New  York 
State.  13th,  to  Andover,  where  brother  Morrison  dehv- 
ered  an  address  on  temperance.  On  the  14th,  I  journeyed 
in  company  with  brother  Shaw  and  wife,  and  brother  Mor- 
rison and  brother,   to  Wilmot,  New   London,  Wendall, 


LIFE   OF  ELDER  MARK    FERNALD.  259 

Newport  and  Claremont,  and  stopped  at  Charlestown  on 
the  Connecticut  river ;  traveled  forty-t\YO  miles  that  day. 
15th 5  went  down  the  river  five  miles  and  crossed  over  the 
Cheshire  Bridge  to  Vermont,  and  followed  the  river  up  to 
Springfield  to  breakfast.  Thence  through  Chester,  Andover 
to  Londonderry  by  Williams'  river,  which  we  crossed  twelve 
times  on  bridges ;  thence  to  LandgroVe  and  Peru  on  the 
Green  Mountains,  and  down  to  Winhall.  On  the  morning 
of  the  16th,  passed  on  to  Manchester,  to  breakfast,  which 
was  a  beautiful  village,  situated  on  an  extensive  valley  of 
good  land.  Thence  to  Arlington,  which  was  another  fine 
village,  with  an  elegant  old  meeting  house,  curiously  glazed. 
Passed  on  to  Shaftsbury  and  North  Bennington,  and  there 
crossed  over  into  York  State.  Passed  on  southward  at 
Hoosac  Four  Corners,  and  crossed  the  Hoosac  river  at  the 
fording  place,  to  Petersburg,  then  down  the  vale  to  brother 
Gordon  Hiscox.  Bested  on  the  17th,  till  evening,  when 
I  preached  at  an  old  factory  prepared  well  for  a  place  of 
worship.  After  attending  a  wedding  on  the  18th,  went 
to  Berlin,  Bensselaer  County,  where  a  large  assembly  of 
people  from  various  towns  and  three  states,  besides  sever- 
eral  preachers  from  different  states,  met  for  what  is  termed 
a  dedication,  but  the  meetings  continued  three  days. 

That  meeting  house  was  free  to  all — no  one  owned  a 
pew.  J.  Badger  preached  first,  from  Bev.  xxii :  1,  2,  in 
the  following  order  :  1.  The  source  of  the  river.  2.  The 
river  of  grace  and  love.  3.  The  tree  of  life — the  church. 
4.  The  twelve  fruits,  the  fruits  of  the  Spirit.  5.  The  heal- 
ing leaves,  influence  and  gifts  of  the  church.  E.  Shaw 
preached  in  the  evening.  On  the  19th,  it  was  very  rainy, 
but  many  people  attended,  and  sermons  were  preached  by 


260  LIFE   OF   ELDER   MARK  FERNALD. 

M.  Fernald,  A.  C.  Morrison,  and  brother  Winman:  On 
the  20th,  Elders  Fernald  and  Morrison  preached  to  a  large 
collection  of  people.  Many  wept,  while  sighs  and  groans 
declared  the  feelings  of  the  people.  21st,  went  to  Troy 
and  crossed  the  North  river  to  WatervHet,  and  stopped 
with  brother  David  Wheeler,  who  was  Postmaster.  Brother 
Wheeler  took  us  to  the  United  States  Arsenal,  and  showed 
us  the  instruments  of  death,  but  I  felt  that  my  weapons 
were  not  carnal.  We  then  proceeded  on,  crossed  the 
Mohawk,  and  reached  Ballston  at  evening,  and  were  kindly 
received  by  sister  Hollisten,  at  Burnt  Hills.  22d,  went  to 
Milton,  to  Elder  Levi  Hathaway's,  who  with  us  went  on  to 
Galloway,  where  Shaw  and  Fernald  preached.  23d, 
reached  Broadalbin,  where  a  Convention  of  delegates  from 
the  different  conferences  of  the  Christian  Connection  in 
North  America  assembled.  Two  delegates  failed  of  attend- 
ing, viz :  brother  Lawrence,  of  Ohio,  who  had  died,  and 
brother  Hazen,  of  Vermont,  who  was  detained  by  the  death 
of  a  son. 

There  were  delegates  from  only  eleven  conferences,  but 
letters  from  others,  while  there  were  many  preachers  and 
brethren  present,  Avho  took  a  part  in  the  deliberations. 
M.  Fernald  was  called  to  the  chair.  Preachers  in  attend- 
ance were  A.  C.  Morrison,  E.  Shaw,  J.  Y.  Himes,  S. 
Clough,  Joseph  Marsh,  Levi  Hathaway,  Allen  Crocker, 
Oliver  Barr,  J.  J.  Harvey,  F.  Plummer,  Ira  Allen,  I.  N. 
Walter,  Wm.  Andrews,  H.  Plummer,  David  Millard,  J. 
S.  Gardner,  Elias  D.  Terry,  Keyes  Coburn,  D.  Ford, 
Jabez  King,  John  Ross,  John  Spore,  N.  Perry,  R.  Rider, 
J.  Rider,  J.  Hay  ward,  J.  F.  Currier,  M.  Fernald,  and 
Philetus  Roberts.     The  convention  continued  from  the  23d 


LIFE   OF  ELDER  MARK    FERNALD.  261 

to  the  27th,  at  evening,  excepting  the  Sabbath.  The 
Sabbath  was  stormy,  yet  many  assembled,  to  whom  I.  N. 
Walter  and  M.  Fernald  preached. 

Among  other  business  done  in  convention,  was  the 
organizing  of  a  General  Book  Association,  to  meet  once  in 
four  years.  The  association  to  consist  of  one  delegate 
from  each  conference  in  the  Connection.  The  officers,  a 
president,  secretary,  and  committee  of  twelve,  to  transact 
business  in  the  intermediate  time,  three  of  whom  to  be  a 
quorum  to  do  business.  The  particulars  of  the  convention 
are  recorded  in  another  book.  The  convention  closed  at 
evening,  and  we  journeyed  the  next  morning. 

On  the  28th,  I  started  with  Elder  E.  Shaw  and  wife, 
and  went  through  North  Galloway,  and  Greenfield,  to 
Saratoga,  where  we  drank  some  water,  examined  the  rail- 
road to  Schenectady  and  Albany,  and  saw  the  steamer 
Fire  Fly  carry  off  some  cars,  passengers  and  other  freight, 
swiftly.  Thence  to  Schuylersville  Village,  and  the  Ferry, 
where  General  Burgoyne  had  his  battle,  and  surrendered 
to  the  United  States.  Crossed  the  North  River  to  Easton, 
and  proceeded  on  to  Greenwich  Village.  29th,  to  Union 
Village,  and  Jackson,  to  Cambridge,  to  breakfast.  That 
was  a  very  pleasant  place.  Thence  to  Salem,  and  crossed 
over  into  Vermont,  and  passed  on  through  Arlington, 
Manchester  and  Winhall,  then  ascended  the  Green  Moun- 
tains to  Peru,  where  we  found  snow  for  sleighing.  It  was 
dark  and  cold  when  we  arrived  at  an  inn.  30th,  de- 
scended the  mountains  to  Londonderry,  thence  through 
Andover,  Chester,  North  Springfield,  and  halted  at  brother 
Cook's.  Then  proceeded  onward  through  Springfield 
Village  to  Spencer's  Hollow,  and  leaving  brother  Shaw, 


262  LIFE   OF   ELDER  MARK   FERNALD. 

crossed  the  Connecticut  river,  dark  and  late,  and  stopped 
at  Claremont.  31st,  to  Newport,  to  breakfast,  thence 
through  Wendall  and  Fishersfield,  to  Bradford,  and  called 
on  Elder  Gillingham.  Then  proceeded  on  through  War- 
ner, North  and  East  Hopkinton,  to  Contoocook  river,  and 
stopped  at  brother  Gage's. 

November  1st,  took  the  Concord  Turnpike,  and  pro- 
ceeded to  Portsmouth,  crossed  the  Piscataqua  river,  and 
reached  home  in  the  evening.  I  was  glad  to  get  home 
once  more,  through  Heaven's  mercj,  but  believed  the  jour- 
ney and  labors  were  for  the  glorj  of  Christ's  cause. 

I  resumed  my  labors,  and  went  into  the  work  as  usual. 
On  the  18th,  commenced  a  protracted  meeting  which  re- 
sulted in  good.  '  27th,  was  our  state  Thanksgiving,  and 
we  held  our  meeting  as  usual,  but  Epicureanism  prevailed 
so,  that  only  about  forty  met.  On  the  30th,  I  baptized 
two. 

December  1st,  went  to  Hampton,  New  Hampshire.  2d, 
attended  the  dedication  of  a  new  meeting  house.  Held  a 
protracted  meeting  in  connection  with  the  dedication. 
On  the  evening  of  the  4th,  I  returned  home,  and  on  the 
5th,  went  to  York.  I  felt  much  while  reflecting  on  the 
indifierence  of  souls  bound  to  another  world.  15th,  by 
reason  of  the  extreme  cold,  I  failed  of  meeting  an  appoint- 
ment at  Kensington,  but  went  on  the  17th.  Spoke  on  the 
subject  of  temperance  on  the  19th,  and  at  Exeter  on  the 
21st,  in  the  meeting  house  of  the  First  Congregational  So- 
ciety. 31st,  to  Hampton,  and  met  with  other  preachers, 
when  we  held  religious  exercises  to  the  close  of  the  year, 
or  till  after  midnight. 


LIFE   OF   ELDER   MARK    FERNALD.  263 


CHAPTER  XVIII. 

EASTERN  CHRISTIAN  PUBLISHING  ASSOCIATION  ORGANIZED 
MURDER  BY  RUM NEW  HAMPSHIRE  BENEVOLENT  SO- 
CIETY COMPLETES  ITS  ORGANIZATION — DEATH  OF  ROBERT 

FOSTER NEW  HAMPSHIRE    CONFERENCE  AT   BARNSTEAD, 

N.    H. TOUR   EAST — R.  B.    DAVIS    ORDAINED GENERAL 

MEETINGS  IN  NEW  HAMPSHIRE — S.  BROWN  AND  T.  H. 
ALEXANDER  ORDAINED — VISITS  LOWELL,  MASSACHUSETTS 
LUKE  WALDRON  ORDAINED. 

1835.  January  1st,  an  assembly  of  preachers  and  oth- 
ers met  at  brother  Abram  Drake's,  and  formed  an  associ- 
ation called  the  Eastern  Christian  Publishing  Association, 
bought  out  the  Christian  Herald,  then  published  at  Ports- 
mouth by  brother  Robert  Foster,  and  agreed  to  publish  it 
once  in  two  weeks,  under  the  name  of  the  Christian  Journal. 

Preached  in  York,  and  Wells,  and  gave  several  ad- 
dresses on  temperance.  Being  frequently  called  on  to 
attend  burials,  I  could  but  think,  preachers  must  always 
go  to  burials,  let  the  distance,  difficulty  and  expense,  be 
what  they  may,  or  they  are  charged  with  lack  of  Chris- 
tianity. Their  reward  is  usually  ''  thank  ye,"  though 
sometimes  they  don't  get  that.  Continued  my  labors  as 
usual,  and  think  not  altogether  in  vain. 


264  LIFE   OF   ELDER  MARK    FERNALD. 

February  1st,  preached  twice,  and  I  trust  not  in  vain. 
2d,  preached  in  the  southwest  part  of  the  town  upon  the 
subject  of  temperance,  but  was  cruelly  opposed  by  rum 
drinkers.  3d,  preached  in  Portsmouth,  and  had  a  good 
season.  Brother  and  sister  Howe  fed  me  early  on  the 
morning  of  the  4th,  and  I  then  went  to  Durham,  and  at- 
tended the  Strafford  conference.  The  meetings  continued 
several  days,  and  proved  a  blessing.  10th,  to  Alfred,  and 
attended  the  York  County  Temperance  Society.  11th,  to 
Ossipee,  where  a  meeting  was  called  at  short  notice.  I 
found  rum  had  killed  another  of  my  old  hearers.  Pro- 
ceeded to  Wolf  borough  and  Tuftonborough.  Had  some 
heavenly  good  seasons.  On  the  19th,  I  preached  in  the 
house  where  I  first  stopped  in  Wolfborough  twenty-four 
years  before.  In  that  house  I  commenced  my  labors  in 
town.  Returned  home,  and  remained  to  the  end  of  the 
month.  How  vast  the  difference  in  the  attention  to  reli- 
gious privileges.  Where  people  are  blessed  with  continued 
privileges  they  lose  their  interest,  while  those  who  but 
seldom  hear  the  word,  yet  know  its  worth,  are  eager  to 
hear,  and  will  avail  themsels^es  of  every  opportunity. 

March  3d,  went  to  Rye,  and  met  with  the  Eastern  Chris- 
tian Publishing  Association.  On  the  4th,  the  Rockingham 
conference  held  its  session,  which  was  very  harmonious, 
and  three  young  men  joined  the  conference.  In  the  even- 
ing I  preached  at  the  Breakfast  Hill  neighborhood.  The 
general  meeting  continued  through  the  6th.  On  that  day 
the  Congregational  brethren  favored  us  with  the  use  of  their 
meeting  house,  and  the  preacher  met  with  us.  It  was  a 
time  of  some  revival.  I  hastened  home  at  evening,  and 
attended  the  annual  meeting  of  the  Temperance  society, 


LIFE    OF   ELDER   MARK    FERNALD.  265 

which  was  an  occasion  of  much  interest.     On  the  9th. 


brother  M.  Howe  preached  to  us,  and  I  added  remarks  on 
temperance.  Several  made  confession  of  their  past  doings 
and  came  out  from  the  evil.  In  view  of  the  awful  evils 
arising  from  the  use  of  strong  drink,  I  considered  it  my 
duty  to  preach  on  the  subject  often.  As  the  fifty-first 
year  of  my  life  ended,  I  felt  very  desirous  of  being  more 
revived  and  useful. 

On  the  17th,  at  evening,  in  a  tremendous  gale,  I  was 
conveyed  across  the  water  to  attend  a  marriage,  and  back 
again  safe,  for  "  will  makes  a  way."  21st,  visited  and 
preached  at  Hampton,  and  on  the  22d,  met  with  Elders 
E.  Philbrick  and  E.  H.  Peavey,  at  Rye.  On  the  29th, 
brother  Shaw  preached  at  the  North  meeting  house-.  30th, 
and  31st,  being  quite  unwell,  I  labored  with  my  carpen- 
ter's tools,  which  was  my  common  method  to  get  better. 

April  2d,  having  had  several  meetings  to  consider  the 
importance  of  circulating  the  Scriptures,  we  agreed  to  give 
twenty  dollars  to  send  the  Scriptures  to  heathen  lands. 
Besides  preaching  as  usual,  I  lectured  on  temperance  at 
New  Castle  on  the  6th  ;  at  Portsmouth  on  the  10  th ;  at 
Salisbury  Mills  on  the  14th,  and  at  Newbury,  Belleville, 
on  the  16th.  I  could  not  have  felt  clear  at  all  times,  in 
all  places,  to  have  delivered  so  many  addresses  on  temper- 
ance had  I  not  filled  them  with  full  one  half  of  good,  plain, 
pointed,  gospel  preaching,  and  I  thereby  got  at  hundreds 
and  thousands  who  would  not  come  out  to  hear  me  preach. 
Returned  home,  and  remained  a  few  days,  and  on  the 
24th,  preached  at  Dover ;  thence  to  Boscawen  on  the  25th. 
26th,  preached  twice  in  Concord  and  once  in  Boscawen. 
23 


266  LIFE   OF   ELDER   MARK    FERNALD. 

On  the  27th,  brother  William  H.  Gage  accompanied  me 
to  Bradford  to  attend  the  Merrimack  conference  on  the 
28th.  It  being  so  very  stormy,  only  a  few  ministers 
attended,  yet  we  continued  the  meetings  in  Bradford  and 
Fishersfield,  (now  Newbury,  N.  H.,)  three  days.  On  the 
29th,  I  preached  at  Deacon  T.  Hadley's  in  Bradford,  and 
on  the  80th,  preached  in  the  Baptist  meeting  house. 
Preached  in  Fishersfield  at  the  Southeast  meeting  house. 
Much  was  felt  among  the  people,  and  the  prospects  good. 

I  attended  also  the  sick,  for  as  I  went  I  would  do  what 
I  could  to  heal  the  sick,  and  persuade  men  to  leave  the 
service  of  the  Devil,  that  he  might  be  cast  out. 

May  1st,  I  journeyed  to  North  wood  ;  2d,  returned 
home.  7th,  preached  at  New  Castle,  and  also  at  Ports- 
mouth, in  company  with  Elder  N.  Piper.  8th,  attended 
the  burial  of  sister  Buth  Witham,  at  York,  in  the  meeting 
house  of  the  Congregational  society. I.  A  large  assembly 
heard  attentively,  and  two  other  brethren  in  the  ministry 
took  a  part.  She  was  a  very  poor  woman,  but  a  rich 
Christian,  and  was  highly  respected.  13th,  to  Wells, 
North  Village.  14th,  attended  at  the  dedication  of  a  new 
meeting  house.  There  were  several  preachers  present, 
and  we  did  the  best  we  could,  and  every  thing  passed  on 
pleasantly  that  day,  but  a  wrong  spirit  was  there,  as  two 
meeting  houses  were  built  within  a  mile,  when  only  one 
was  needed.  23d,  I  went  to  Salisbury,  New  Hampshire, 
to  attend  the  New  Hampshire  conference,  which  was  held 
at  the  house  of  brother  John  Couch,  and  which  was 
pleasant  and  harmonious.  A  society  was  formed  to  assist 
an  itinerant  ministry,  called  the  New  Hampshire  Christian 


LIFE   OF   ELDER   MARK   FERNALD.  267 

Itinerant  Society.  The  members  were  to  pay  one  dollar 
annually.  The  meetings  in  connection  with  the  conference 
were  good.     I  returned  home  on  the  26th. 

In  June,  I  labored  as  I  was  wont  to  do,  in  Kittery  and 
neighboring  towns.  On  the  22d,  I  commenced  a  short 
tour,  partly  for  the  purpose  of  preaching  and  partly  for  the 
health  of  my  wife.  I  preached  at  Stratham,  Exeter, 
Kensington,  Newton,  Haverhill  and  Salisbury  Point.  At 
Newton,  I  spoke  to  a  company  of  youth,  who  collected  at 
short  notice,  and  were  very  attentive.  On  the  10th,  a 
sister  in  the  church  was  murdered  by  the  hands  of  her 
own  husband  while  under  the  influence  of  rum,  or  when 
he  was  rum  crazy.  The  circumstances  were  given  to  the 
public  at  the  time,  and  testified  to  at  the  time  of  the  judi- 
cial trial  of  the  wretched  man,  who  is  now,  by  the  way, 
running  at  large  in  our  streets.  This  was  only  another 
comment  on  drunkenness. 

July  4th,  celebrated  the  Independence  in  the  forenoon 
at  our  meeting  house.  I  gave  an  address  on  true  liberty, 
Sabbath  schools,  slavery,  and  the  circulating  or  sending 
the  Bible  and  tracts  to  the  heathen.  In  the  afternoon,  I 
was  to  give  an  address  at  York,  but  rain  prevented.  On 
the  5th,  which  was  Lord's  day,  I  attended  three  meetings. 
In  the  afternoon  we  had  a  tremendous  gust  of  wind,  which 
did  much  damage. 

On  the  6th,  I  started  on  a  visit  to  New  Hampshire. 
Preached  in  Dover,  in  Tuftonborough,  and  had  many 
meetings  in  Wolf  borough,  which  were  refreshing.  On  the 
11th,  had  a  church  conference,  where  I  organized  the 
church  twenty-four  years  before  ;  about  forty  members  were 
present ;  several  were  among  the  first  that  united  in  church 


268  LIFE   OF   ELDER   MARK   FERNALD. 

relation,  and  two  were  there  who  then  resided  in  Stewarts- 
town,  about  one  hundred  and  thirty  miles  distant.  Three 
were  added  to  the  church.     It  was  a  soul-reviving  season. 

My  visit,  though  short,  was  interesting.  I  returned 
home  on  the  13th.  On  the  26th,  I  preached  at  New 
Market,  Lamprey  River.  Several  individuals  in  this  sec- 
tion were  killed  by  lightning,  and  on  the  31st,  our  old 
Congregational  meeting  house  was  struck.  A  man  on 
board  a  vessel  lying  in  our  river — Capt.  Gardner  of  St. 
George,  Maine — was  killed. 

In  August,  I  labored  as  usual.  On  the  12th,  received 
a  visit  from  brethren  H.  Frost  and  Russel  B.  Davis.  16th, 
brother  Frost  preached  for  us.  I  went  to  New  Castle. 
21st,  went  to  North  Hampton,  Little  River,  so  called,  and 
attended  the  organization  of  the  New  Hampshire  Christian 
Benevolent  Society.  We  there  received  our,  Act  of  In- 
corporation, adopted  our  constitution,  chose  our  officers, 
and  commenced  our  funds.  25th,  commenced  a  journey 
in  the  country,  my  wife  and  daughter  accompanying  me. 
26th,  preached  in  Milton.  Visited  and  preached  in  Wolf- 
borough  and  Ossipee,  and  saw  some  signs  of  spiritual  rain. 

September  2d,  3d,  and  4th,  attended  the  Strafford  con- 
ference and  general  meeting  at  Tuftonborough.  The 
meetings  were  attended  with  good.  Backsliders  confessed, 
several  bowed  the  knee,  and  cried  for  deliverance,  and 
some  found  comfort.  On  the  afternoon  of  the  3d,  I  at- 
tended the  burial  of  B.  Seeggel,  at  Ossipee,  which  was  a 
solemn  season.  I  remained  in  Tuftonborough  and  Wolf- 
borough  until  the  7th,  and  saw  some  reviving.  On  the 
9th,  attended  the  Rockingham  conference  at  Newton.  In 
connection  with  this  conference,  we  held  a  meeting  of  the 


LIFE    OF   ELDER  MARK   FERNALD.  269 

New  Hampshire  Christian  Benevolent  Society.  We  had 
a  harmonious  session.  Many  attended,  and  good  was  done. 
11th,  returned  home,  having  been  absent  eighteen  days, 
attended  thirty  meetings,  and  traveled  two  hundred  and 
twenty  miles.  Being  very  much  distressed  at  my  lungs, 
I  had  only  one  meeting  from  the  14th  to  the  19th. 

Feeling  a  burden  on  my  mind  respecting  the  people  at 
Wolf  borough  and  Tuftonborough,  and  the  region  round 
about  there,  I  concluded  to  visit  them  again  ;  and  on  the 
22d,  started.  I  arrived  at  Wolfborough  on  the  23d,  and 
found  Elder  Colby  had  written  a  letter  for  me  to  come  to 
his  assistance,  as  the  work  of  reformation  was  progressing. 
I  visited  and  preached  daily  in  these  towns,  to  the  close  of 
the  month,  and  in  almost  every  meeting  saw  some  come 
forward  for  the  prayers  of  the  saints,  while  others  were 
brought  to  rejoice  in  the  Savior.  On  the  28th,  attended 
the  burial  of  one  who  was  awakened  and  brought  to  the 
Lord,  at  the  time  I  made  my  first  visit. 

In  October,  I  continued  my  labors  in  the  before-men- 
tioned towns,  while  the  arrows  of  King  Jesus  were  sharp. 
On  the  7th,  I  designed  to  start  for  home,  but  feehng  so 
much  pressed  in  spirit  to  remain,  I  concluded  to  yield  to 
the  impression,  and  not  start  that  day.  I  continued  meet- 
ings, and  the  Lord  gave  assistance  while  converts  were 
multiphed.  9th,  I  baptized  at  Tuftonborough,  and  12th 
at  Wolfborough,  and  then  bade  them  farewell  for  that  time. 
13th,  returned  to  my  family  and  friends,  at  Kittery.  14th, 
I  visited  brother  Robert  Foster,  of  Portsmouth,  but  found 
him  too  low  to  converse.  He  died  that  evening.  23d, 
met  with  Elder  Easton.  Had  some  good  refreshing  seasons, 
but  not  that  interest  in  the  church  I  greatly  desired  to  see. 
23* 


270  LIFE   OF  ELDER  MARK   FERNALD. 

November  1st,  our  meetings  were  large,  and  several 
renewed  their  promise  to  try  to  serve  the  Lord  better. 
9th,  brother  M.  Howe  preached  a  good  discourse  upon 
religion  and  temperance.  17th,  at  Hampton  Falls,  and 
attended  the  dedication  of  a  new  meeting  house.  A  gen- 
eral meeting  followed  the  dedication,  which  was  good.  On 
the  24th,  by  invitation,  I  attended  the  dedication  of  the 
Methodist  chapel  in  Kitterj.  The  house  was  dedicated  to 
the  Lord  God  by  prayer  alone,  for  which  I  thanked  the 
preacher.  Had  some  interesting  meetings,  but  the  people 
were  very  dull  in  general.  I  had  much  exercise  of  mind 
about  leaving  the  people,  my  labors  appeared  of  so  little 
use,  but  I  feared  the  consequence  of  leaving  so  large  a 
society  without  a  teacher.  On  the  30th,  Elder  R.  Davis 
preached  with  us,  and  seemed  to  revive  our  drooping 
spirits. 

In  December,  I  preached  mostly  in  Kittery,  occasionally 
going  out  of  town  for  a  day.  I  felt  deeply  afflicted  in  view 
of  the  low  state  of  religious  feeling,  and  could  but  cry 
mightily  to  the  Lord  for  deliverance,  in  my  own  mind. 
On  the  10th,  Elder  Howe  and  myself  met  several  other 
preachers  at  Exeter,  to  hold  a  consultation  on  various 
scriptures  and  methods  of  worship,  that  if  possible  we  might 
be  uniform  in  our  preaching  and  exercises  ;  and  that  all 
might  speak  the  same  things.  On  the  31st,  in  company 
with  brother  Joel  Haley  and  wife,  journeyed  to  Wolf  bor- 
ough, and  thus  the  year  1835  ended. 

1836.  I  commenced  the  year  at  Wolf  borough,  and 
preached  there  and  at  Tuftonborough  until  the  9th  of  Jan- 
uary. Some  reformation,  and  prospects  good.  The  9th 
was  the  28th  anniversary  of  my  baptism.     I  journeyed 


LIFE   OF  ELDER  MARK    FERNALD.  271 

home ;  a  heavy  snow  storm  came  on  and  the  roads  were 
blocked,  but  at  evening  I  reached  my  home ;  found  my 
family  in  good  health,  and  seated  by  a  good  fire,  for  which 
I  thanked  my  heavenly  Father.  Continued  my  labors  as 
at  other  times.  24th,  went  to  the  north  of  the  town  and 
preached  twice.  The  Methodist  brethren  had  for  some 
time  occupied  the  North  meeting  house,  which  was  formerly 
occupied  by,  and  belonged  to  the  Congregational  society, 
but  having  built  them  a  new  house  they  vacated  the  old 
one.  The  Christian  society  had  occupied  the  old  house 
one  Sabbath  each  month  for  a  season,  and  as  the  house  was 
now  vacated  on  the  other  Sabbaths,  we,  with  the  Congrega- 
tional society,  fitted  up  the  house  somewhat,  and  commenced 
meetings  regularly.  The  Christian  society  had  then  two 
regular  meetings,  by  mutual  consent.  We  held  our  north 
monthly  conference  at  brother  John  Rogers.  February 
4th,  received  news  of  the  death  of  Captain  Samuel  Pray, 
one  of  our  church  members,  who  died  very  suddenly  at 
New  York.  He  was  there  on  business ;  was  taken  ill  on 
Saturday,  and  died  the  next  morning.  How  uncertain  is 
life  !  How  dangerous  its  abundant  and  engrossing  cares  ! 
A  widow  and  nine  children  were  left  to  endure  their  loss. 
6th,  and  7th,  I  preached  in  Exeter.  The  weather  was 
extremely  cold,  and  the  roads  so  blocked  with  snow  that  I 
could  hold  but  few  meetings  for  several  days.  15th,  my 
wife's  mother  died,  aged  84  years.  On  the  19th,  she  was 
buried.  Elder  Moses  Howe  preached  well  on  the  occasion. 
I  made  a  short  visit  to  Wolf  borough,  with  brother  Howe, 
who  addressed  the  people  on  temperance.  We  held  a  few 
meetings,  and  found  the  spirit  of  reformation  still  among 
the  people  ;  also  some  who  had  been  very  intemperate  had 


272  LIFE   OP  ELDER  MARK    FERNALD. 

broken  off  that  course.  We  returned  to  Kittery,  and  on 
the  last  day  of  the  month  brother  Howe  preached  us  a 
temperance  sermon. 

March  1st  to  the  4th,  attended  a  session  of  the  Rocking- 
ham conference  at  Exeter ;  also  meetings  of  the  Eastern 
Christian  Publishing  Association,  New  Hampshire  Chris- 
tian Benevolent  Society,  and  public  religious  meetings. 
On  the  9th,  my  fifty-second  year  closed,  while  I  was  mak- 
ing an  effort  in  behalf  .of  liberty  for  the  slave.  Labored 
as  usual.  Brethren  Howe,  Boothby  and  Wait  preached 
for  us  during  the  month.  Brother  Isaiah  Haley  gave  us 
a  good  temperance  address  on  the  30th.  31st,  I  preached 
at  New  Castle,  it  being  state  Fast,  and  as  they  held  their 
annual  temperance  meeting  on  the  afternoon  of  that  day, 
I  gave  an  address,  for  which  they  gave  me  a  full  vote  of 
thanks,  and  a  reward  besides. 

April,  I  devoted  to  labor  in  Kittery.  On  the  18th, 
preached  on  the  Island  of  my  ancestors.  19th,  attended 
the  burial  of  a  Congregational  sister,  who  was  the  last 
survivor  of  the  church  before  a  recent  revival.  Many  of 
my  visits  and  meetings  were  interesting  and  profitable.  I 
often  witnessed  the  value  and  excellency  of  religion,  as  I 
stood  by  the  bedside  of  those  near  death.  BeUgion  pre- 
pares us  to  live  well  and  die  right. 

*'  Religion,  what  treasure  untold, 
Resides  in  that  heavenly  word." 

In  May  we  had  some  very  interesting  meetings.  I  spent 
one  day  in  a  private  interview  with  two  individuals,  labor- 
ing to  convince  them  of  the  error  of  Deism,  Atheism,  and 
Universalism,  but  all  to  no  apparent  purpose,  as  they  had 
a  zeal  which  Winded  them,  and  were  decidedly  opposed  to 


LIFE   OP   ELDER  MARK    PERNALD.  273 

the  gospel.  15th,  preached  at  the  North  meeting  house, 
and  for  the  first  time  attended  a  communion  in  that  place 
with  that  portion  of  the  church  that  worshiped  there.  At 
5  o'clock  we  all  went  to  the  Methodist  chapel,  and  all 
united  with  a  Congregational  brother,  which  season  was 
good. 

May  20th,  attended  the  burial  of  a  man  who  hung  him- 
self in  consequence  of  cider  intemperance.  Another 
preacher  preached,  and  I  exhorted^  and  prayed.  He  was 
brought  up  in  a  liquor  family,  and  in  ignorance.  He  once 
choked  his  father,  which  doubtless  caused  his  death.  His 
mother  was  intoxicated  when  his  father  was  buried.  He 
quarreled  with  his  wife,  and  attempted  her  life.  She  ran 
ofi*,  and  he  hung  himself;  all  the  effects  of  rum,  cider  and 
ignorance.  25th,  a  man  in  the  northwest  part  of  the 
town  died  in  his  chair,  in  a  rum  store.  Thus  they  went, 
and  thus  they  go. 

May  26th,  went  to  Barnstead,  New  Hampshire.  27th, 
28th,  and  29th,  attended  the  New  Hampshire  conference 
and  Itinerant  society.  M.  Fernald  made  an  opening 
address,  and  one  of  our  number,  by  request  of  the  Con- 
gregational brother  preacher,  gave  his  preparatory  lecture. 
Our  meetings  were  good,  while  the  Lord  gave  the  word. 
On  the  evening  of  the  29th,  I  preached  at  Alton,  and  on 
the  30th,  I  visited  New  Durham,  Farmington,  Rochester, 
and  Dover,  feeling  as  I  went  I  must  preach.  I  reached 
home  on  the  31st,  and  attended  a  meeting. 

June  8th,  I  started  on  a  journey  East,  taking  with  me 
my  wife  and  daughter.  On  the  10th,  arrived  at  Gray 
Corner,  where  the  Free-will  Baptist  brethren  were  holding 
a  series  of  meetings.     By  request,  I  stopped  and  preached 


274  LIFE   OF   ELDER  MARK   FERNALD. 

several  times,  and  on  the  afternoon  of  the  12th,  I  went  to 
mj  old  stand  in  New  Gloucester,  where  I  found  a  large 
company  ready  to  hear.  I  believe  the  Lord  helped  me. 
On  this  visit  I  became  fully  confirmed  by  all  with  whom  I 
conversed,  that  Elder  Ephraim  Stinchfield's  opposition  to 
me  had  not  raised  me  one  foe  in  his  native  town,  but  on 
the  contrary,  had  injured  his  own  usefulness  to  the  close  of 
his  life,  which  was  fast  ebbing  out.  I  visited  him.  He 
appeared  friendly,  while  I  felt  it  my  duty  to  speak  of  his 
treatment  to  me,  before  his  wife  and  daughters  present, 
and  told  him  I  never  intended  to  wrong  him,  but  he  would 
not  say  so  to  me.  I  sung  and  prayed  with  him,  and  we 
parted,  as  we  supposed,  no  more  to  meet  on  earth. 

I  proceeded  to  Monmouth  on  the  13th,  and  to  Vienna 
on  the  14th,  and  stopped  with  Elder  Josiah  Bradley,  who 
entertained  us  during  a  session  of  the  Kennebeck  confer- 
ence and  general  meeting.  I  found  him  a  worthy,  good 
man.  After  a  pleasant  interview  with  the  brethren,  and 
having  some  good  meetings,  I  started,  in  company  with 
Elders  Young,  Mosher,  and  our  companions,  farther  East. 
We  crossed  the  Kennebeck  river  at  Norridgewock,  which 
was  once  a  famous  Indian  settlement.  The  romantic 
scenery  of  the  river,  fertile  farms,  and  hills  and  vales,  fur- 
nished a  theme  for  reflection.  Passed  through  Skowhegan 
to  Cornville,  where  I  attended  the  Maine  conference. 
Brother  Russell  B.  Davis  was  ordained  to  the  work  of  the 
gospel  ministry.  I  preached  at  Skowhegan  Falls  on  my 
return,  and  then  proceeded  through  Norridgewock,  Mer- 
cer, and  New  Sharon,  to  Farmington  Falls,  where  I 
preached  to  a  few.  A  company  of  circus  horse  riders, 
or  monkies,  called  out  all  that  would  pay  twenty-five  cents 


LIFE    OF   ELDER   MARK   FERNALD.  275 

for  the  sight.  That  only  showed  on  which  side  the  people 
were.  23d,  visited  Elder  Peter  Young  and  family,  and 
with  him  and  others,  made  our  way  for  Sumner,  Oxford 
County.  On  our  way  we  passed  the  grave  of  our  faithful 
brother,  Elder  J.  Bean,  who  fought  his  fight,  and  over- 
came. On  the  24th,  P.  Young,  Lincoln,  Mosher,  Bradley, 
and  M.  Fernald  commenced  our  general  meeting.  The 
meetings  were  held  at  the  barn  of  David  Merrill,  Esq. 
We  found  the  religious  feeling  of  the  people  low  in  that 
hill  country ;  but  on  the  26th,  which  was  the  first  day  of 
the  week,  a  host  of  people  assembled,  who  heard  atten- 
tively, and  deep  impressions  were  made  on  the  minds  of 
many.  Esquire  Wood  and  wife,  and  two  sons,  came  thirty 
miles  that  morning  to  attend  the  meeting,  and  then  re- 
turned. I  observed  to  him  as  he  was  about  to  leave,  I 
feared  he  had  not  got  rewarded.  He  repHed,  "  I  am 
already."  I  thought  how  many  professors  there  are  that 
■will  not  go  one  mile  to  hear  a  good  sermon. 

Never  did  I  see  the  need  of  faithful,  honest  labor  with 
preachers  and  members,  so  much  as  I  did  during  that 
journey.  Unskilful  labor  in  the  churches  had  divided  and 
even  dgstroyed  some  of  them.  Elder  Lincoln  accompany- 
ing me,  I  went  to  Hartford,  and  preached  once.  27th, 
journeyed  through  the  hilly  region  of  Buckfield  and  Hebron, 
to  Minot,  New  Gloucester,  and  Gray,  visiting  a  family  of 
Shakers.     Also,  visited  Windham,  Gorhara,  and  Portland. 

July  1st,  I  started  toward  home,  where  I  arrived  safely 
on  the  2d.  Labored  in  Kittery  and  York  until  the  23d. 
Brother  Lincoln  visited  us,  and  also  brother  E.  Burnham. 
24th,  I  preached  at  Hampton.  The  church  was  very 
low,  and  had  given  up  all  meetings  save  on  the  Sabbath, 


276  LIFE   OP   ELDER   MARK   FERNALD. 

"which  I  felt  would  be  an  injury  to  them,  as  was  seen  af- 
terward. I  visited  a  few  towns  in  New  Hampshire  and 
Massachusetts,  and  then  returned  home.  The' church  was 
in  too  low  a  state,  and  too  contented  in  their  state. 

August  5th,  I  visited  Portsmouth  and  New  Castle, 
where  I  had  a  good  preach,  but  returned  home  fatigued, 
as  I  had  a  hard  tug  at  the  oars,  alone.  I  made  another 
short  visit  to  New  Hampshire  and  Massachusetts,  preach- 
ing the  word  and  addressing  the  people  on  temperance. 
In  passing  through  Stratham,  on  the  11th,  I  saw  Elder 
N.  Piper's  wife  dying.     Surely  all  flesh  is  grass. 

On  the  17th,  I  visited  the  North  parish,  and  found  some 
revival  in  progress.  On  the  25th,  I  started  for  the  inte- 
rior of  New  Hampshire.  At  every  visit  I  made  among 
my  old  acquaintances,  I  found  death  had  taken  one  or 
more,  and  sometimes  those  for  whom  ]  had  often  prayed, 
and  to  whom  I  had  preached,  yet  they  died  without  telling 
where  they  hoped  to  go.  N.  Piper,  D.  Wiggin,  myself, 
and  others,  held  a  general  meeting  at  Tuftonborough, 
which  commenced  on  the  27th,  and  was  attended  with 
much  good. 

September  4th,  after  preaching  twice  at  Wolfbcrough, 
I  heard  the  Friends'  speaker.  He  labored  hard  to  make 
us  beheve  "  Christ  is  the  Father,"  but  the  scripture  he 
produced  destroyed  his  own  testimony,  to  my  mind.  8th, 
I  arrived  home,  and  found  some  revival  in  the  north  part 
of  the  town  ;  four  were  about  to  be  baptized  by  Elder 
Burnham,  who  was  then  preaching  to  the  north  meeting. 
14th,  attended  the  Rockingham  conference  at  Kensington, 
New  Hampshire,  and  New  Hampshire  Christian  Benevo- 
lent society.     The  business  of  the  conference,  and  other 


LIFE   OF   ELDER   MARK    FERNALD.  277 

society,  was  done  harmoniously,  but  too  many  neglected  to 
attend.  Elder  P.  Young,  from  Maine,  and  Elder  H.  Sul- 
lings,  from  Rhode  Island,  met  with  us,  and  preached  the 
word  of  life.  Good  resulted  from  the  meetings.  Returned 
to  Kittery,  and  on  the  21st,  received  a  visit  from  brother 
Peter  Young.  28th,  and  29th,  attended  the  Strafford 
conference  at  Jonathan  Berry's,  Strafford,  New  Hampshire. 
We  had  a  good  session.  On  the  28th,  R.  Davis  preached 
in  the  meeting  house,  and  at  evening  I  preached  in  a  school 
house  from  James  i :  27.  29th,  R.  Davis,  E.  Shaw,  and 
M.  Fernald  preached,  and  then  I  left  for  Dover,  while ^ 
others  were  to  continue  and  close  up  the  meetings.  30th, 
visited  and  preached  in  my  old  field  of  labor,  South  Ber- 
wick, Maine.  It  was  grievous  to  see  the  awful  havoc 
made  by  false  zeal  and  fanaticism,  together  with  a  neglect 
of  religious  duty,  yet  there  remained  some  praying,  pre- 
cious souls,  striving  for  victory,  so  that  my  labors  had  not 
been  wholly  in  vain. 

October  1st,  I  returned  home,  and  attended  our  seventh- 
day  conference,  which  was  good.  I  had  long  been  bur- 
dened to  see  the  unstable- mindedness  and  indifference 
of  church  members,  while  I  saw  Zion  lying  slain,  and  no 
one  caring  for  her.  I  almost  concluded  to  refuse  preach- 
ing to  my  old  charge,  seeing  they  would  not  strive  with  me 
for  a  revival,  but  on  the  2d,  I  had  remarkable  freedom  in 
-speaking,  which  raised  my  sinking  spirits.  Some  revival 
was  going  on  at  the  north  of  the  town,  Spruce  Creek,  and 
a  good  attention  to  meetings  in  the  navy  yard  neighbor- 
hood. I  labored  to  impress  the  minds  of  those  who  would 
not  omit  their  worldly  business  a  part  of  one  day  out  of  a 

week,  for  months,  to  attend  the  stated  business  or  meetings 

24 


278  LIFE   OF   ELDER   MARK    FERNALD. 

of  the  church.  On  the  18th,  commenced  a  journey,  but 
preached  at  the  southwest  of  the  town  and  baptized  the 
wife  of  brother  Stephen  Paul,  of  ElUot,  and  then  proceeded 
to  Stratham.  19th,  to  Exeter,  Nottingham,  and  North- 
wood,  and  put  up  at  a  tavern,  where  rum-men  disturbed 
me  and  left  no  room  for  prayers.  20th,  to  Canterbury  ; 
21st,  in  company  with  brother  J.  Harriman,  to  Sanbornton, 
where  we  attended  the  Merrimack  conference.  On  the 
evening  of  the  22d,  I  preached  in  Franklin,  at  brother  A. 
C.  Morrison's  father's,  and  the  Lord  helped.  I  met  in 
the  general  meeting  at  Sanbornton  daily,  and  preached 
several  times.  28d,  at  evening,  I  preached  in  Northfield 
to  a  full  house,  and  had  a  time  of  plain  dealing.  24th, 
after  writing  home,  which  was  my  custom  once  every  week, 
during  my  absence,  I  went  to  New  Chester  and  Danbury, 
and  preached.  At  Danbury  we  commenced  a  general 
meeting.  The  people  and  preachers  were  not  abundant, 
but  the  Lord  gave  us  His  Spirit,  and  we  gave  the  people 
His  word.  B.  Calley,  T.  Cole,  and  myself  preached  each 
day,  and  on  the  27th,  the  last  day  of  the  meeting,  the 
Baptist  and  Methodist  brethren  united  their  labors  with  us, 
and  the  Lord  helped,  while  some  cried  aloud  ;  some  re- 
quested prayers,  and  thus  our  meetings  ended  gloriously. 

We  proceeded  to  Andover,  and  commenced  another 
general  meeting  on  the  29th.  Brother  Cole  and  myself 
preached  once  each  day,  while  we  both  preached  at  separ- 
ate places  evenings.  On  the  30th,  I  had  great  liberty  to 
show  the  people  what  was  'noted  in  the  Scriptures  of 
truth,"  particularly  on  Christ,  the  Son  of  God.  31st, 
Elder  Cole  and  myself  started  for  Salisbury,  to  hold  a 
general  meeting  there.     While  my  horse  was  descending 


LIFE   OF   ELDER  MARK    FERNALD.  279 

a  hill  in  quick  speed,  to  come  up  with  Cole,  a  swine  inter- 
sected the  horse  and  threw  him  down,  which  threw  me 
headlong  out  of  my  chaise  and  over  my  horse's  back, 
injuring  my  leg.  I  however  got  up  and  pursued  Cole, 
who  stopped  in  the  road  and  dressed  my  wound,  while  I 
was  glad  to  fare  no  worse,  but  thanked  the  Lord  for  pre- 
servation. 

We  commenced  our  meetings  November  1st.  I  remained 
two  days,  and  saw  some  good.  Brother  Cole  remained 
longer,  while  I  left,  and  on  the  3d,  reached  home.  I 
remained  in  Kittery  and  towns  around  through  the  re- 
mainder of  the  month,  being  too  hoarse  and  unwell  to  go 
abroad,  and  my  wife  was  sick  also.  I  had  to  withdraw 
some  appointments  at  a  distance,  and  in  one  instance  to 
get  a  supply. 

December  1st,  was  our  state  Thanksgiving,  and  I 
preached  day  and  evening,  but  found  a  large  majority  of 
the  people  regarded  their  victuals  more  than  thanksgiving 
to  God.  The  backwardness  of  my  brethren  in  their  im- 
provements in  meetings,  occasioned  me  more  labor,  and  I 
began  to  find  myself  unfit  for  lung  labor,  especially  on  the 
second  day  of  the  week. 

On  the  6th,  I  visited  Exeter,  Kensington,  and  attended 
an  evening  meeting  with  Elder  R.  Davis  at  brother  Rich- 
ard Morrill's,  Hampton  Falls.  On  the  7th,  attended  the 
ordination  of  Dr.  S.  Brown  and  T.  F.  Alexander.  In 
council,  I  objected  to  the  custom  of  giving  the  right  hand 
of  fellowship,  and  a  charge,  as  a  part  of  ordination,  show- 
ing that  both  were  unscriptural.  It  was  agreed  to  be 
unscriptural  as  a  part  of  ordination,  but  insisted  on  as  fol- 
lowing the  custom.     Meetings  were  held  several  days,  and 


280  LIFE   OP   ELDER  MARK   FERNALD. 

were  excellent.  I  attended  one  meeting  at  the  Factory 
Village.  I  returned  home  and  found  some  prospect  of  a 
revival,  but  the  church  was  too  low.  Between  the  12th 
and  20th,  a  spirit  of  revival  began  to  prevail,  and  some 
professed  conversion.  On  the  19th,  at  an  enquiry  meet- 
ing at  mj  house,  one  found  comfort.  I  was  distressed  in 
mind  to  see  so  little  interest  on  the  part  of  the  church 
while  souls  were  seeking  the  Lord.  I  labored,  and  was 
successful  in  the  labor,  to  give  a  rational  turn  to  the  minds 
of  the  enquirers,  to  act  upon  the  conviction  of  truth  within 
themselves,  and  not  wait  to  be  driven  by  excitement. 
Closed  the  year  as  usual,  in  reading  and  prayer,  desiring 
to  be  ready  for  my  departure,  and  to  end  my  days  in  peace» 

1837.  January  1st,  I  commenced  with  a  desire  that  I 
might  be  more  devoted  to  God  and  useful  to  men,  than  I 
had  been  in  any  previous  year.  It  stormed  violently  in 
the  morning,  but  I  attended  a  marriage,  and  the  storm  did 
not  prevent  the  usual  attendance ;  yet  when  I  went  to  the 
house  of  God  I  met  with  only  three,  two  of  whom  were 
seeking  the  salvation  of  their  souls.  We  had  a  good 
meeting.  I  attended  meetings  about  every  evening,  and 
notwithstanding  we  had  stormy  and  cold  weather,  yet  the 
Lord  worked  with  us,  and  many  sought  and  found  the 
Lord.  It  was  somewhat  sickly,  and  I  was  frequently  called 
to  visit  the  sick.  We  lost  a  valuable  townsman,  Capt.  Josiah 
Haley,  at  whose  burial  I  preached  on  the  18th.  Some 
came  out  and  confessed  their  backsli dings,  and  became  a 
great  help  to  me.  On  the  29th,  I  baptized  a  seafaring 
man. 

February  5th,  I  baptized  again.  The  work  of  revival 
progressed  gradually,  and  negligent  professors  came  for- 


LIFE   OF  ELDER  MARK   FERNALD.  281 

ward  to  do  their  duty.  On  the  14th,  Elder  David  Millard 
visited  us,  and  preached  an  able  discourse.  On  the  15th, 
he  preached  at  the  north  parish.  That  was  his  first  visit 
to  Maine.  On  the  28th,  I  went  to  Exeter,  to  attend  a 
meeting  of  the  Eastern  Christian  Publishing  Association. 
I  devoted  the  most  of  my  time  in  Kittery,  during  January 
and  February,  and  saw  much  to  encourage  me,  but  still 
saw  a  great  deal  more  to  be  done,  while  there  was  too  much 
backwardness  on  the  part  of  many  professors  of  godliness. 
I  preached  a  few  times  out  of  town,  and  administered  to 
the  sick,  and  in  some  instances  had  an  opportunity  to  "  do 
good  to  them  who  had  despitefully  used  me." 

March  1st,  attended  the  Rockingham  conference,  but 
the  traveling  was  such,  that  only  a  few  attended.  Re- 
turned home,  and  continued  my  labors.  7th,  Elder  Abner 
Jones  visited  us,  and  preached.  He  labored  to  show  that 
a  rehgious  theory  without  practicing  the  truth  of  Christ, 
was  useless.  17th,  Elder  E.  Shaw  gave  an  interesting 
address  on  temperance,  at  the  north  part  of  the  town.  On 
the  19th,  I  baptized  four.  We  were  cheered  while  several 
persons  came  over  on  the  Lord's  side. 

April  1st,  the  Lord  blessed  our  efforts,  while  we  had 
three  meetings.  2d,  I  felt  rather  "  poor  in  spirit."  3d, 
succeeded  in  increasing  the  list  of  subscribers  to  the  Chris- 
tian Journal  to  about  sixty,  in  Kittery.  The  Christian 
Journal  was  published  once  in  two  weeks,  at  one  dollar  per 
year,  at  that  time. 

On  the  7th,  met  with  brother  Shaw,  at  Portsmouth,  and 

compiled  a  supplement  to  Millard  and   Badger's  Hymn 

Book.     Devoted  several  days  to  that  work. 

Some  were  out  and  aside  from  reformation,  hence  I 
24* 


282  LIFE   OF   ELDER  MARK  FERNALD. 

labored  to  show  mj  brethren  the  necessity  of  being  spirit- 
ually-minded, and  working  together.  Some  suppose  that 
meetings  are  held  too  often,  and  that  when  we  seldom  meet, 
there  will  be  more  of  a  gathering ;  but  I  have  ever  noticed 
that  the  oftener  saints  meet  together,  the  oftener  they  de- 
sire to,  and  the  better  the  feehngs  manifested.  23d,  a 
young  man  from  Massachusetts  visited  us,  who  had  just 
begun  to  improve. 

"  May  I  enjoy  the  meanest  place 

Within  thy  house,  0  God  of  grace ; 

Not  tents  of  ease,  nor  thrones  of  power, 

Shall  tempt  my  feet  to  leave  the  door." 

I  commenced  May  at  home,  preaching  and  laboring  in 
my  common  way.  On  the  7th,  I  had  a  crowd  to  preach 
to,  but  many  were  present  whose  common  character  was 
not  whole.  I  endeavored  to  discharge  my  duty  to  all,  and 
told  the  people  I  would  not  give  a  cankered  copper  to  have 
people  come  from  other  meetings,  or  go  from  ours,  unless 
they  would  turn  to  the  Lord.  In  visiting,  I  found  several 
about  to  try  another  world,  some  giving  good  evidence  of 
a  preparation,  and  some  in  a  dark  state  of  mind.  18th, 
started  on  a  journey  with  my  family.  19th,  reached  Bos- 
cawen,  where  the  Merrimack  conference  was  in  session,  at 
brother  Wm.  H.  Gage's.  20th,  and  21st,  attended  a 
general  meeting  in  Concord,  preaching  once  in  Boscawen. 
The  people  wished  to  know  our  views,  manners,  &c.,  and 
truth  cut  its  way.  One  good  preacher  appeared  to  be 
■"  righteous  overmuch,''  as  said  king  Solomon.  The  people 
proposed  a  contribution  to  aid  those  of  us  who  traveled  to 
preach  to  them,  but  this  good-meaning  man  publicly  op- 
posed it,  and  said,  let  the  people  give  to  Elders  Fernald 
and  Davis  privately,  or  to  brother  Gage  for  them.     Gage 


LIFE   OF  ELDER  MARK    FERNALD.  283 

received  twentj-five  cents  in  the  house  for  us.     A  few 
afterwards  gave  us  a  small  amount. 

On  the  22d,  f  went  to  Gilmanton ;  23d,  to  Wolf  bor- 
ough. Had  a  few  meetings,  visited  sick  and  well,  and  on 
the  26th,  went  to  Milton  to  attend  the  New  Hampshire 
conference.  It  was  rainy  weather,  and  the  traveling 
such  that  many  were  disappointed.  27th,  and  28th,  at- 
tended a  general  meeting  at  the  Three  Ponds,  where  the 
Lord  helped.  I  returned  home,  and  found  some  had 
died  during  my  absence,  two  of  whom  were  great  neglect- 
ors  of  all  religion,  and  loved  rum. 

June  1st,  I  attended  the  burial  of  a  young  man ;  it  was 
a  serious  occasion.  3d,  Elder  William  H.  Ireland,  from 
the  East,  visited  us.  Brother  Ireland  preached  in  differ- 
ent sections  of  the  town.  On  the  25th,  my  suffering 
friend,  Capt.  John  Dennett,  died.  He  endured  patiently, 
hoping  in  God.  Half  of  his  face  was  nearly  gone  with 
that  afflicting  disease,  cancer.  As  incredible  as  it 
may  appear,  he  hved  fifty-three  days  without  digesting 
food.  During  that  time  he  did  not  take  a  half  pint  of  food, 
save  a  very  little  drink.  On  the  27th,  I  attended  his 
burial. 

On  the  28th,  I  commenced  a  journey,  and  went  as  far 
as  East  Kingston,  New  Hampshire ;  29th,  to  Haverhill,  Mas- 
sachusetts, and  found  several  of  my  old  friends  had  died. 
30th,  to  Methuen,  and  thence  to  Lowell.  When  at  Lowell 
about  fifteen  years  before,  it  had  just  begun  to  make  its 
appearance  out  of  the  waste,  and  in  that  time  it  had  grown 
in  proportion  to  Jonah's  gourd.  A  railroad  was  built 
between  there  and  Boston,  over  which  the  cars  passed 
twice  each  way  in  a  day.     It  was  a  city  of  factories,  or 


284  LIFE  OF  ELDER  MARK    FERNALD. 

spindles,  while  there  were  various  religious  societies  striving 
to  outdo  each  other,  and  gather  the  multitude  their  way. 

July  1st,  went  to  Boston ;  and  on  the  2d,  attended  wor- 
ship with  Elder  J.  Y.  Himes  at  Lyceum  Hall.  In  the 
morning,  brother  Himes  preached  to  the  Sabbath  school 
children.  A  dozen  or  more  colored  children  united  their 
songs  of  praise  with  the  white  children.  I  preached  in  the 
afternoon  and  evening.  Saw  several  of  my  old  friends. 
Ehas  Smith  and  his  brother  Uriah  were  present.  They 
had  both  been  great  men,  and  supposed  to  be  good,  but 
had  retired  from  the  gospel  field.  Elias  appeared  desirous 
to  return  to  his  former  enjoyments.  The  Christian  church 
in  Boston  had  become  two,  but  not  in  union.  On  the  3d, 
examined  Mr.  Catherwood's  curious  painting  of  Jerusalem, 
and  then  went  to  South  Reading.  4th,  went  to  Lynn,  and 
heard  two  addresses  on  slavery,  the  first  I  had  ever  heard, 
although  I  had  been  opposed  to  slavery  from  a  child.  About 
forty  colored  children  from  Boston  sung  very  correctly,  and 
it  was  affecting,  while  I  thought  on  their  native  talent, 
which,  if  cultivated,  would  equal  that  of  the  whites.  I 
preached  in  the  evening.  5th,  went  to  old  Salem,  where 
I  had  seen  much  of  the  Lord's  goodness.  I  visited  the 
farm  at  Beverly,  where  the  New  England  Christian  Acad- 
emy was  established  ;  and  preached  in  Salem.  6  th,  trav- 
eled to  Ipswich  and  Newbury  port.  7th,  preached  at  Sal- 
isbury-Point, and  on  the  8th,  reached  home.  9th, 
I  preached  twice,  and  made  an  attempt  the  third  time,  but 
my  lungs  were  so  feeble  and  distressed  that  I  failed.  I 
felt  excused  from  preaching  during  the  following  week.  I 
took  scythe  and  rake,  and  went  into  the  hay  field  and 
labored,  and  found  hard  labor  and  free  sweating  an  excel- 


LIFE   OF   ELDER   MARK   FERNALD.  285 

lent  mode  of  doctoring.  24th,  visited  a  company  of  six 
sisters  who  had  met  together  from  different  sections  of  the 
Union,  from  Maine  to  Louisiana.  We  conversed,  sung, 
and  prayed,  and  then  parted  to  meet  no  more  on  earth, 
but  all  in  pursuit  of  heaven  by  the  way  of  the  cross. 

August  1st,  I  was  not  well,  but  preached,  laboring  to 
persuade  men  to  be  reconciled  to  God.  Some  of  our  meet- 
ings were  interesting.  17th,  I  preached  at  the  southwest 
of  the  town.  The  very  trying  times  seemed  to  be  re- 
garded by  the  Lord,  for  as  bread  stuff  was  scarce  and 
dear,  as  well  as  other  provisions,  fish, especially  mackerel, 
came  in  schools  close  to  our  shore,  so  that  hundreds  were 
caught  in  a  day.  On  the  25th,  I  crossed  the  river  to 
attend  a  meeting,  but  found  I  had  forgotten  the  hour  of 
appointment,  and  the  people  had  dispersed,  to  my  sorrow. 
On  the  28th,  I  started  on  a  journey,  and  on  the  31st, 
preached  in  Tuftonbo rough.  I  had  not  been  there  for  a 
year,  which  was  the  longest  I  had  ever  left  them. 

September  1st,  preached  in  Wolf  borough,  at  brother  S. 
Coffin's.  4th,  to  Meredith  and  Sanbornton,  and  5th,  to 
Frankhn,  and  attended  the  Merrimack  conference,  which 
was  held  at  brother  N.  Morrison's.  It  was  a  profitable 
season,  but  the  preachers  were  too  fearful  to  speak  or  act 
out  their  opinion  on  slavery  and  intemperance.  The  fear 
of  man,  and '  a  time-serving  policy,  are  not  religion.  We 
held  meetings  two  days  at  the  meeting  house  in  the  north- 
west of  Sanbornton,  which  were  good.  We  had  a  com- 
munion season,  which  was  good,  and  many  attended.  The 
prospects  were  good.  On  the  evening  of  the  7th,  I 
preached  at  Elder  Obadiah  E.  Morrill's  father's. 

On  the  9th,  I  went  to  Concord,  and  stopped  with  my 


286  LIFE   OP  ELDER  MARK   FERNALD. 

old  friend,  Judge  Burgin.  10th,  preached  in  AUenstown  ; 
11th,  in  Candia ;  12th,  in  Newton ;  13th,  attended  the 
Rockingham  conference  at  East  Kingston,  and  had  a  har- 
monious session.  The  meetings  were  attended  with  good. 
I  returned  home,  and  on  the  19th,  went  to  South  Berwick 
to  attend  a  general  meeting.  We  had  a  profitable  but  not 
powerful  meeting,  and  ordained  brother  Luke  Waldron  on 
the  21st.  I  returned  home  very  much  fatigued.  On  the 
26th,  Elder  Henry  Frost  and  daughter,  from  Cornville, 
visited  us. 

In  October,  I  remained  in  Kitterj,  and  did  the  best  I 
could  to  awaken  the  people  to  a  sense  of  their  duty,  until 
the  31st,  when  I  went  to  Milton,  New  Hampshire. 

November  1st,  went  to  Wolf  borough,  and  found  some 
revival  had  followed  the  general  meeting.  3d,  preached 
at  brother  Beach's  appointment,  (the  Congregational  broth- 
er). I  went  to  Ossipee  on  the  8th,  to  see  a  family,  four 
of  whom  I  baptized  twenty-five  years  before.  I  found  the 
aged  mother  near  death.  I  had  a  meeting,  and  the  good 
sister  rejoiced,  wishing  to  go  to  Jesus.  I  was  rejoiced  to 
find  the  good  work  progressing  on  my  old  preaching 
ground.  I  visited  Tuftonborough.  I  returned  home  and 
labored  as  usual,  preaching  with  all  my  heart  against  evil, 
but  felt  the  slothfulness  of  society  in  wishing  a  preacher  to 
be  a  servant  and  slave  for  half  a  common  living.  On  the 
23d,  in  a  violent  gale  of  wind,  a  small  vessel,  with  three 
men  on  board,  was  upset  off  Gerrish's  Island.  Two  ves- 
sels passed  between  them  and  the  shore,  but  "  passed  by 
on  the  other  side,"  when  they  might  have  saved  the  men, 
but  they  let  them  perish.  May  God  pity  their  souls,  who  had 
no  pity  on  the  bodies  of  their  fellow  men.     25th,  a  pro- 


LIFE   OF  ELDER  MARK    FERNALD.  287 

tracted  meeting  commenced  at  Portsmouth,  which  I  at- 
tended. The  30th  was  our  annual  Thanksgiving,  but  the 
people  cared  more  about  their  food  than  about  thanks  and 
praise  to  God. 

December  1st,  the  meetings  continued  at  Portsmouth. 
Went  to  Greenland  and  preached  once ;  thence  to  Ken- 
sington and  attended  a  protracted  meeting.  Labored 
some  in  York  and  Kitterj,  with  brother  Hall.  The  year 
run  out,  but  I  lived  to  thank  the  good  Lord. 


288  LIFE    OF   ELDER   MARK    FERNALD. 


CHAPTER  XIX. 

D.  WIG  GIN    ORDAINED — REVIVAL   AND   BAPTISM   AT   WOLF- 
BOROUGH DEATH    OF   ELDERS   YOUNG   AND   DAVIS — A. 

HALL  ORDAINED — ROCKINGHAM  CONFERENCE  AT  YORK — 
EXPRESSES  HIS  OPINION  OF  WILLIAM  MILLER's  RECKON- 
ING— THOUGHTS  OF  CHRIST — H.  P.  GUILFORD,  J.  H.  SMITH, 
AND  0.  P.  TUCKERMAN  ORDAINED. 

1838.  In  January,  I  labored  in  Kitterj,  sometimes 
under  very  encouraging  circumstances,  and  sometimes 
under  very  discouraging  circumstances.  On  the  26th, 
attended  a  meeting  for  experience  at  the  southwest  part 
of  the  town,  when  five  came  forward,  and  gave  in  a  relation 
of  the  exercises  of  their  mind  ;  among  the  number  was  an 
infirm  man,  aged  seventy-five  years,  who  had  indulged 
hope  about  thirty  years,  and  though  he  had  always  after 
felt  it  a  duty  to  be  baptized,  yet  had  neglected  it  for  that 
length  of  time.  On  the  28th,  I  baptized  the  above,  four 
men  and  one  woman,  at  Capt.  S.  Badger's  ship-yard, 
which  was  a  very  interesting  season. 

February  2d,  went  to  Kensington,  to  attend  a  general 
meeting.  I  was  informed  that  the  day  before,  a  man  was 
buried  from  the  meeting  house,  who  was  found  dead,  and 
frozen  fast  to  the  ground.     He  had  been  a  very  dissipated 


^^' 


LIFE   OF   ELDER  MARK   FERNALD.  289 

man,  but,  horrid  to  relate,  the  child  that  followed  him  to 
the  grave  was  a  rum  seller  in  a  neighboring  town. 

About  twenty  had  been  converted  in  Kensington,  and  a 
good  feeling  was  still  apparent,  but  a  rum  store  near  the 
meeting  house,  where  about  two  barrels  of  rum  were  sold 
every  week,  was  a  sore  evil  to  the  people.  I  felt  bound 
to  attack  tippling,  and  we  gained  victory,  although  the 
store  owner  did  not  meet  with  us  again.  On  the  5th,  I 
went  to  Exeter,  thence  to  Stratham,  and  met  with  brother 
Piper,  and  a  Baptist  brother.  It  was  a  time  of  revival, 
and  we  had  a  good  season.  6th,  to  Greenland,  where  a 
large  congregation  gathered,  to  whom  I  preached,  from 
Acts  xviii :  8 ;  hearing,  believing,  and  being  baptized ; 
after  which  Elder  Leavitt  and  others  went  to  the  water 
and  baptized  several.  Returned  home,  but  a  light  snow 
on  the  9th,  prevented  our  dull-hearted  people  from  meet- 
ing. I  preached  in  Kittery  and  York  during  the  re- 
mainder of  the  month,  occasionally  giving  an  address  on 
temperance,  and  attending  several  burials,  one  of  w^hich 
was  that  of  widow  Mary  Moore,  of  York,  aged  ninety-seven 
years  and  ten  months,  who  had  been  an  excellent  woman, 
and  a  member  of  the  church  wdth  me  for  thirty  years. 

During  the  first  of  March,  I  made  a  short  visit  in  New 
Hampshire,  but  the  traveling  was  such  that  I  could  not  go 
far.  In  Exeter,  there  was  a  good  revival.  I  continued 
my  labors  as  usual,  but  had  cause  to  mourn  over  the  low 
state  of  religious  feeling  among  my  brethren,  the  languish- 
ing state  of  Zion  and  my  own  unprofitableness. 

April  10th,  faced  snow  and  rain  to  Greenland,  New 

Hampshire,  and  assisted  in  the  ordination  of  brother  Daniel 

Wiggin,  junior,  to  the  work  of  the  ministry.     Pursued  my 
25 


290  LIFE   OF   ELDER  MARK    FERNALD. 

usual  course  to  the  close  of  the  month,  but  felt  sorely 
oppressed  in  spirit  by  the  stupidity  and  worldly-mindedness 
of  professors  of  religion. 

May  2d,  I  journeyed  to  Wolf  borough,  where  I  found 
the  people  had  shared  largely  in  the  mercy  of  the  Lord, 
for  several  had  evidently  found  Christ  a  Savior  indeed. 
I  visited  from  house  to  house,  and  preached  from  day  to 
day,  in  Wolf  borough  and  Tuftonborough.  On  the  10th,  a 
crowd  of  people  came  together,  and  the  Lord  sent  rain  out 
of  doors  and  in  the  house,  and  helped  his  poor  servant  to 
deal  faithfully  and  plainly.  On  the  12th,  attended  a 
church  conference,  when  seven  related  their  christian  ex- 
perience for  baptism,  and  four  others  united  with  the 
church.  The  church  being  destitute  of  a  deacon,  brethren 
Nathaniel  Rust  and  John  Folsom  were  chosen  to  that  office, 
and  being  well  known  and  proved,  they  were  ordained.  I 
requested  a  dismission  of  my  pastoral  relation  in  order  that 
brother  J.  T.  G.  Colby,  who  resided  among  them,  might 
have  the  charge  and  oversight.  I  had  had  the  care  of  the 
church  from  the  time  I  gathered  it,  which  was  twenty-seven 
years  before. 

On  the  13th,  after  I  had  preached  to  a  very  large 
assembly,  brother  J.  B.  Doe,  one  of  our  old  members,  who 
had  ever  plead  for  infant  sprinkling,  arose  in  tears  and  in 
power,  and  stated  his  mind  to  be  baptized.  He  was  fol- 
lowed by  an  interesting  daughter,  and  then  by  his  son, 
John  Osborne,  also  another  young  man  and  a  young 
woman.  At  two  o'clock,  in  presence  of  a  large  concourse 
of  people  of  different  societies,  we  met  at  the  water,  and  I 
baptized  seven  men  and  five  women.  Much  conviction 
rested  on  the  minds  of  the  people,  and  the  work  took  a 


LIFE   OP   ELDER  MARK    FERNALD.  291 

new  start.  On  the  afternoon  of  that  day,  by  request,  we 
met  with  the  Congregational  brethren,  when  I  preached 
again  with  unusual  freedom.  We  then  had  a  communion 
season,  the  officers  of  each  church  officiating,  and  the 
season  closed  with  much  o;ood  feelino;. 

That  visit  to  Wolf  borough  was  one  of  unusual  interest  to 
me  and  many  others.  On  the  14th,  I  left  my  good  brother 
Colby,  and  rode  to  Dover,  and  tarried  with  brother  S. 
Jenness.  After  returning  home,  and  remaining  a  few 
days,  I  took  my  family  with  me,  and  visited  Stratham,  and 
Exeter,  and  attended  the  New  Hampshire  conference, 
which  was  held  in  Stratham.  27th,  I  preached  at  New 
Market.  Division  of  feeling  and  denominational  sentiments 
made  it  a  hard  place  to  speak  in,  and  I  got  a  good  pulpit 
sweat,  but  many  felt  the  word. 

June  1st,  received  the  sad  news  of  the  death  of  two  of 
my  yoke-fellows,  P.  Young,  aged  54,  with  whom  I  had  been 
very  famihar  for  more  than  thirty  years,  and  R.  B.  Davis, 
aged  31,  a  worthy  brother  in  the  gospel.  7th,  went  to 
Wells,  where  I  had  not  been  for  three  years ;  thence  to 
Ogunquit  and  Boldhead,  and  preached  on  the  7th.  12th, 
brother  I.  N.  Walter,  from  New  York,  visited  us.  21st, 
I  went  to  Durham,  New  Hampshire,  to  attend  a  general 
meeting.  Remained  there  three  days.  25th,  went  to 
Kennebunk,  and  26th,  to  HoUis,  Bar  Mills,  to  attend  a 
series  of  meetings  with  Elders  J.  Boothby,  L.  D.  Flem- 
ming,  D.  Millard,  W.  M.  Bryant,  and  others ;  brother 
Millard  failed  of  attending  by  ill  health.  We  had  a  deep- 
ly interesting  season;  a  solemn  and  awakening  time. 
Many  rose  for  prayers. 

July  1st,  having  just  returned  from  a  scene  of  solemn 


292  LIFE   OF   ELDER   MARK  FERNALD. 

tenderness,  where  preaching  was  free  breathing^  while  Kit- 
terj  seemed  sin-hardened,  I  felt  tried.  On  the  4th,  I 
had  annually  held  a  pubHc  meeting,  but  the  carelessness 
of  the  people  about  attending,  caused  me  to  omit  it.  5th, 
went  to  Milton,  and  on  my  way  called  on  Elder  Z.  Jor- 
dan, at  South  Berwick,  who  was  preparing  to  follow  his 
companion  to  the  grave.  She  was  the  last  of  eleven  sis- 
ters. I  baptized  her  and  others  of  her  family  many  years 
before.  "  Blessed  are  the  dead  who  die  in  the  Lord." 
On  the  6th,  I  reached  Wolf  borough,  and  found  the  breth- 
ren and  friends  had  erected  a  meeting  house,  and  on  the 
7th,  they  met  to  sell  the  pews,  although  the  house  was  not 
completed.  I  bought  a  pew  to  help  on.  I  remained  a 
few  days  in  my  old  field  of  labor,  and  saw  the  saints 
quickened.  On  the  10th,  I  visited  the  excellent  family  of 
brother  S,  Coffin,  and  found  sister  Coffin  near  the  gravCj 
but  she  wanted  to  hear  me  once  more,  so  I  preached,  and 
she  spoke  well  of  religion,  and  we  parted.  I  returned 
home,  stopping  at  Great  Falls  by  the  way.  I  was  grieved 
at  the  neghgence  of  professed  Christians.  World  !  world ! 
world  in  them,  makes  them  almost  forget  their  profession, 
while  they  neglect  the  stated  means  of  grace,  or  ordinan^ 
ces  of  the  church  of  Christ. 

August  11th,  preached  at  Ogunquit,  and  12th,  met 
with  a  Baptist  brother  at  Wells,  who  preached.  The 
church  in  the  west  of  Wells  had  so  far  run  down,  that  no 
church  or  business  meetings  had  been  held  for  years,  but 
a  new  church  had  been  organized.  I  visited  the  pastor  of 
the  old  church,  Elder  Richard  Littlefield,  and  advised  him 
to  give  up  his  pastoral  relation,  that  those  members  who 
still  adhered  to  him  might  join  the  new  one,  and  thereby 


LIFE   OF   ELDER   MARK    FERNALD.  293 

the  cause  might  be  strengthened,  which  he  concluded  to 
do.  On  the  13th,  had  a  profitable  church  conference  at 
Ogunquit.  I  visited  York,  and  then  returned  home. 
Some  good  brethren  think  we  ought  to  forgive  offenders 
without  any  confession  on  their  part,  which  amounts  to 
no  church  labor,  and  consequently  no  church  discipline  ; 
but  I  have  not  so  learned  my  lesson  from  the  Bible.  Strict 
discipline  and  constant  labor  is  Bible  instruction,  and  is 
the  life  of  the  church,  and  never  forgives  the  offender  un- 
til he  says,  at  least,  "  I  repent,"  that  is,  makes  some 
acknowledgment. 

On  the  30th,  several  churches  agreed  to  hold  a  fast  in 
consequence  of  the  death  of  six  preachers  in  Maine  and 
Massachusetts  within  a  few  months.  We  met  to  pray  for 
a  revival,  and  that  the  Lord  of  the  harvest  would  send 
forth  laborers  into  His  harvest.  That  we  understood  to  be 
the  way  the  Great  Shepherd  designed  we  should  get  un- 
der-shepherds. 

September  10th,  and  11th,  I  visited  a  few  towns  in 
New  Hampshire.  On  the  12th,  a  rain  storm  commenced 
in  earnest  with  a  heavy  gale  of  wind,  but  I  rode  to  Salisbury 
Point,  Massachusetts,  to  attend  the  Rockingham  confer- 
ence and  New  Hampshire  Christian  Benevolent  Society. 
Several  joined  the  conference  at  that  time,  but  open  con- 
tention was  hardly  prevented,  as  some  were  disposed  to 
introduce  the  notion  that  God's  Spirit  does  not  operate 
directly  on  the  hearts  of  the  children  of  men.  The  public 
meetings  were  well  attended,  solemn  and  interesting.  On 
the  evening  of  the  14th,  I  preached  at  Newbury  to  an 
assembly  of  attentive  hearers. 

On  the  18th,  I  went  to  Somers worth,  Great  Falls,  aud 

25* 


294  LIFE   OF  ELDER  MARK   FERNALD. 

united  in  a  protracted  meeting  with  the  Free-will  Baptist 
brethren.  Thence  to  Wolf  borough  and  paid  eighteen  dol- 
lars and  fifty  cents  for  a  pew  in  the  new  chapel,  which  I 
agreed  for  at  mj  previous  visit.  I  attended  the  Strafford 
conference  at  Tuffconborough,  which  commenced  on  the 
21st5  and  preached  several  times  during  the  meeting.  The 
prospects  were  very  encouraging.  25tli,  I  preached  at 
the  dedication  of  the  new  chapel  at  Wolfborough,  from 
Acts  vii :  47,  48,  and  Elder  Reynolds  made  the  consecrat- 
ing prayer.  In  the  afternoon,  brother  Heath,  a  Methodist 
brother,  preached.  The  meetings  were  very  full  and  edi- 
fying. 

I  visited  Brookfield.  Held  several  meetings  in  Wolf- 
borough,  and  Tuftonborough,  and  attended  to  some  im- 
portant business  connected  with  the  church  at  Tuftonbor- 
ough, which  had  long  been  neglected,  and  baptized  brother 
L.  Tibbetts,  aged  seventy-six  years,  who  was  impressed 
to  attend  to  that  duty  by  a  singular  dream.  He  ever 
had  contended  that  his  sprinkling  was  sufficient.  After 
attending  a  monthly  conference  with  the  second  Christian 
church  in  Wolfborough  on  the  29th,  and  preaching  to  a 
great  gathering  of  people  at  the  new  chapel,  on  the  30th, 
some  of  whom  came  many  miles,  I  took  my  leave  of  them 
and  started  homeward. 

October  1st,  I  stopped  at  the  southwest  of  Wolfbor- 
ough, and  baptized  in  Rust's  pond,  and  preached  at  eve- 
ning in  the  school  house  near  the  rum  stores.  I  arrived 
home  on  the  3d.  -  I  had  an  interesting,  important  and 
profitable  journey.  Sometimes  preachers  are  much  dis- 
turbed in  meeting  by  small  children,  who  cry  or  play. 
Parents  should  keep  their  children  at  home,  or  keep  them 


LIFE   OF  ELDER  MAEK    FERNALD.  295 

in  better  subjection.  In  some  places  the  people  get  what 
preaching  they  have  for  a  mere  trifle,  and  never  help  build 
a  house  of  worship,  while  the  evil  of  covetousness  sticks 
to  their  hearts.  May  the  Lord  awaken  them  to  duty.  I 
found  death  still  in  the  world,  and  some  died  holding  on  to 
Universalism,  without  religion  in  their  hearts.  Found  a 
great  many  people  more  for  earth  than  heaven.  Some 
leaders  in  some  denom-inations  manifested  a  very  unchris- 
tian spirit  by  denying  that  a  man  could  be  a  Christian  and 
not  a  trinitarian  ;  but  though  I  felt  grieved,  I  left  them 
and  their  opposition  for  the  Lord  to  settle.  23d,  I  went 
to  Portsmouth,  but  crowds  went  to  see  a  balloon  rise  (which 
proved  a  failure)  but  could  not  go  to  hear  the  gospel.  I 
went  on  to  Hampton  Falls  to  attend  a  general  meeting. 
Myself  and  brother  Pike  preached  mostly.  On  the  even- 
ing of  the  26th,  I  preached  in  Hampton,  where  I  had  not 
preached  for  a  year  or  more.  Returned  home  and  con- 
tinued to  the  close  of  the  month. 

November  14th,  15th,  and  16th,  attended  a  general 
meeting  at  Rye,  New  Hampshire,  which  was  very  profita- 
ble, although  at  an  evening  meeting,  at  a  school  house,  a 
drunkard  was  shut  up,  asleep.  The  Sunday  following,  the 
preacher  could  get  no  chance  to  preach,  as  the  time  was 
all  improved  by  his  brethren,  to  his  joy.  The  state  of  my 
health  was  such  that  I  felt  admonished  of  the  close  of 
life.  How  short,  frail,  and  imperfect  is  mortal  life.  I  had 
long  been  troubled  with  a  humor  of  a  cancerous  kind, 
which  located  itself  in  my  face.  I  made  various  appHca- 
tions,  which  quieted  the  humor,  but  I  felt  unable  to  undergo 
so  much  fatigue  as  I  had  done.  22d,  attended  the  burial 
of  sister  Ruth  Shaw,  wife  of  brother  J.  W.  Shaw,  at  Ken- 


296  LIFE   OF   ELDER  MARK   FERNALD. 

sington.  She  was  a  godlj  woman,  and  sleeps  in  Jesus. 
In  the  evening  I  preached  in  Hampton,  where  several 
came  forward  for  prayers,  and  several  converts  spoke  well. 
I  returned  home  meditating  on  the  uncertainty  of  life  and 
how  serious  a  matter  it  is  to  die  and  enter  upon  a  hereafter 
world.  29th,  was  state  Thanksgiving,  and  I  preached  to 
a  few,  while  sportsmen,  gamblers,  and  drunkards  met  to 
triumph  in  sin. 

In  December,  I  apphed  much  of  my  labors  for  the  im- 
provement of  the  young.  On  the  13th,  at  a  monthly  con- 
ference, brother  John  Rogers,  a  man  of  faith  and  much 
prayer,  and  well  known  from  youth,  related  a  circumstance 
which  confirmed  our  faith  in  the  efficacy  of  prayer.  He 
said  that  on  the  11th,  his  wife  had  gone  to  Portsmouth 
with  his  horse  and  chaise.  Just  before  he  expected  her 
home,  he  became  extremely  distressed  about  her  safety,  so 
much  so,  that  he  could  not  stay  in  his  house,  but  retired 
to  the  barn  to  pray,  while  all  his  cry  was,  that  the  Lord 
would  spare  her  life.  He  could  not  imagine  the  cause,  as 
she  was  accustomed  to  go  abroad  with  the  horse  and  car- 
riage, and  he  had  never  felt  particularly  uneasy  about  her 
before.  After  praying,  he  felt  somewhat  composed,  and 
waited  to  see  the  result.  As  he  sat  looking  down  the 
road,  he  saw  his  wife  slowly  walking  with  a  man  who  was 
leading  the  horse,  and  soon  had  a  revelation  of  his  impres- 
sion. At  the  very  time  of  his  anguish  of  feeling,  the 
horse  became  ungovernable,  and,  kicking  into  the  chaise, 
broke  the  shaft  and  threw  her  on  the  ground  under  him, 
and  she  was  rescued  from  her  perilous  situation  at  the  time 
he  was  praying.  On  the  14th,  after  attending  a  burial,  I 
preached  to  a  congregation  of  almost  all  characters,  while 


LIFE    OF   ELDER  MARK    FERNALD.  297 

they  felt  much.  I  labored  on  and  saw  some  good.  On  the 
31st,  I  worked  on  wood,  and  in  the  evening  wrote,  made 
some  calculations,  read,  sung,  and  prayed  to  be  better  and 
more  useful  in  time  to  come,  and  the  year  closed. 

1839.  January.  I  felt  tried  with  my  brethren  in  the 
church  because  of  their  unfaithfulness,  and  expressed  my 
feeling  to  them  plainly,  which  had  a  good  effect,  and  sev- 
eral expressed  their  determination  to  arise.  On  the  10th, 
brother  Abner  Hall  was  ordained  at  York,  Maine,  to  the 
work  of  the  gospel  ministry,  by  David  Millard,  Daniel 
Wiggin,  junior,  and  myself.  On  the  11th,  the  Methodist 
preacher  came  to  our  help,  and  preached.  The  meetings 
w^ere  good  and  profitable.  22d,  I  visited  a  man  dying 
mth.  delirium  tremens.  0,  the  body  and  soul-destroying 
effects  of  drinking  strong  drink.  23d,  visited  two  on  the 
verge  of  the  grave  ;  one  a  praying  saint,  the  other  a  poor 
old  neglecter  of  Christ,  What  a  contrast.  25th,  attends 
ed  the  burial  of  the  first  mentioned,  but  the  meeting  seemed 
to  partake  of  the  stupid  life  of  the  dead  man. 

In  February  I  labored  much  in  York,  where  a  refor^ 
mation  was  in  progress.  I  attended  a  protracted  meet- 
ing at  Greenland,  and  was  to  attend  one  at  Wolf  borough^ 
but  the  weather  and  traveling  was  such  that  I  could  not 
go,  and  could  only  wish  them  well  and  pray  for  them. 
The  spirit  of  revival  spread  into  the  east  part  of  the  town. 

In  March,  a  rumor  of  war,  and  every  town  drafting  men 
to  defend  the  north  eastern  boundary  of  Maine,  confused 
the  people  very  much,  and  checked  the  revival.  Nothing 
can  be  more  opposed  to  war  than  Christianity.  We  at^ 
tended  to  church  labor,  and  chose  '-  helps"  for  the  church, 
that  the  way  for  a  revival  might  be  prepared.     A  constant 


298  LIFE   OF  ELDER  MAKK    FER2fALD. 

labor  is  necessary,  and  the  unruly  must  be  curbed,  or  they 
will  get  the  reins.  For  a  church  to  fall  through,  or  dis- 
solve to  begin  again,  because  labor  is  too  laborious,  I  con- 
sider wrong.  Leaving  members  in  sin,  until  business  can- 
not be  doDe  scripturally,  and  then  drop  all,  pick  up  those 
who  are  supposed  to  be  united,  and  leave  the  rest  behind, 
is  not  gospel  order.  I  preached  at  York  three  times  on 
the  24th,  very  plainly,  and  three  rum  sellers  heard  pointed 
remarks  and  plain  dealing.  A  man  then  lay  dead  from 
the  effects  of  drinking,  and  a  few  days  before  a  woman  was 
found  dead  in  the  field,  with  her  bottle. 

April  3d,  I  went  to  Exeter,  and  remained  a  few  days  in 
a  general  or  protracted  meeting.  I  devoted  some  time  in 
visiting  the  sick,  and  felt  astonished  at  the  want  of  judg- 
ment and  skill  of  some  learned  men.  On  the  9th,  I 
preached  in  the  west  of  Kittery,  when  I  endeavored  to 
show  the  wrong  of  rum-selling,  and  a  drunken  soldier 
staggered  into  meeting,  which  confirmed  the  truth  of  my 
remarks.  Luring  the  remainder  of  the  month,  I  labored 
in  Kittery,  preaching,  visiting,  and  attending  the  sick. 

May  2d,  I  visited  the  church  of  York  and  Wells,  at 
Ogunquit,  and  found  a  good  reformation,  though  the  war 
panic  had  had  a  bad  influence.  About  twenty  had  been 
converted.  I  preached  a  few  times,  and  also  visited  my 
old,  afflicted  friends  at  North  Village,  so  called.  15th, 
went  to  Milton,  N.  H.  16th,  to  Wolfborough,  and  met 
with  brother  G.  W.  Burnham,  who  was  engaged  in  an  ex-- 
tensive  revival.  Several  of  my  old  hearers  had  turned  to 
the  Lord.  Truly  it  was  a  cause  of  joy  to  see  several  who 
had  been  much  opposed  to  godliness,  then  happy  in  the 
Savior.     I  went  with  Elder  Colby  to  Tuftonborough,  and 


LIFE   OF   ELDER   MARK   FERNALD.  299 

found  the  people  much  awakened ;   several  were  seeking 
the  Lord,  and  some  had  found  peace. 

My  wife  having  long  been  infirm,  and  feeling  a  desire 
to  use  the  Thomsonian  practice,  where  it  could  be  attended 
to  properly,  I  took  her  to  Dr.  Chapman's  Infirmary.  They 
did  what  they  could  for  her,  and  she  obtained  some  relief, 
but  they  told  us  they  could  not  efiect  a  cure.  We  felt 
satisfied  with  their  treatment,  and  prayed  the  Lord  to  bless 
their  praying  souls. 

For  several  miles  on  the  post  road  there  was  scarcely  a 
house  where  one  or  more  had  not  been  converted.  About 
every  exception  was  a  tippler,  or  a  great  worldling.  One 
evening,  when  I  stopped  at  a  house,  I  found  that  tippling 
was  ruining  one  whom  I  had  respected  from  his  youth. 
The  next  morning,  at  breakfast,  I  spoke  freely  upon  the 
habit  of  tippling.  He  arose  from  the  table  without  his 
breakfast,  and,  as  I  supposed,  offended,  but  in  less  than 
two  hours  he  came  in  tears,  and  requested  prayers,  saying 
that  when  he  left  his  breakfast,  he  broke  his  rum  bottle, 
and  had  been  praying  for  the  salvation  of  his  soul.  We 
were  happy  to  advise  him,  and  to  pray  with  and  for  him. 
On  the  24th,  Elder  Colby  baptized  several.  By  request, 
I  attended  the  Free-will  Baptist  quarterly  meeting  at 
Tuftonborough.  The  congregation  was  very  large.  Many 
arose  for  prayers.  It  was  a  solemn  and  interesting  season. 
On  the  28th,  I  baptized  six,  all  heads  of  families.  Two 
were  brothers,  with  their  wives.  One  had  been  sick  with 
fever,  and  had  not  sit  up  all  day  for  five  weeks,  yet  in  a 
rainy  day  went  more  than  a  mile  to  be  baptized,  i  )he 
spoke,  prayed,  and  praised  the  Lord  aloud,  and  received 
no  injury.     God  is  merciful  to  such  as  trust  in  Him.     On 


300  LIFE    OF   ELDER   MARK    FERNALD. 

the  30th,  I  went  to  Alton,  to  attend  the  New  Hampshire 
conference,  which  commenced  its  session  on  the  31st.  The 
conference  was  generally  harmonious,  and  a  committee  was 
raised  to  get  up  an  academy. 

June  1st,  and  2d,  attended  the  general  meeting  at 
Alton.  Much  was  felt,  and  good  impressions  were  made. 
In  journeying  home,  I  stopped  at  South  Berwick,  and 
preached  on  the  4th,  but  crossed  Universalism  and  Mor- 
monism.  A  great  work  of  reformation  was  going  on  there. 
I  remained  in  Kitterj  until  the  25th,  when  I  went  again 
to  the  hill  country  of  New  Hampshire.  On  the  26th,  I 
preached  at  Wolfborough,  and  warned  the  people  against 
tippling  and  dancing  parties,  for  which  some  were  preparing 
for  the  4th  of  July.  The  reformation  was  still  going  on  in 
Wolfborough  and  Tuftonborough.  On  the  29th,  we  held 
a  church  conference  at  Tuftonborough,  and  as  Elder  Wm. 
Blaisdell  had  removed  into  town,  I  advised  the  church  to 
dismiss  me  from  my  pastoral  relation,  which  I  had  held 
from  the  organization  of  the  church,  and  choose  him  their 
pastor,  which  they  did ;  and  they  also  chose  two  deacons. 
It  was  the  understanding  that  I  should  baptize  any  in  town 
who  wished  me  to,  without  injuring  the  feelings  of  brother 
Blaisdell. 

I  commenced  July  at  Wolfborough.  I  had  engaged  to 
supply  for  brother  Colby  a  few  days,  as  he  was  on  a  visit 
to  Canada. 

On  the  4th,  in  order  to  counteract  evil,  we  held  a  meet- 
ing at  H.  Parker's  large  barn,  where  hundreds  of  serious 
people  assembled.  We  then  repaired  to  the  water,  and  I 
baptized  «a  man  and  his  wife.  At  2  o'clock  we  met  in 
another  barn,  with  the  Free-will  Baptist-  brethren,  in  con- 


LIFE    OF   ELDER   MARK    FERNALD.  301 

ference.     It  was  a  glorious  season  of  power,  union  and 

On  the  25th,  it  being  state  Thanksgiving,  we  formed  a 
engagedness.  Several  said  they  had  never  kept  the  Fourth 
of  July  as  they  ought  before.  Many  came  several  miles, 
and  returned  with  joyful  hearts. 

On  the  5th,  attended  meeting  with  the  Congregational 
preacher  at  the  Academy.  At  the  close,  a  man  was  bap- 
tized in  the  Lake.  On  the  9th,  preached  again  in  brother 
Parker's  barn,  and  baptized  another  man  and  his  wife  ; 
then  started  for  the  sea-shore,  having  attended  twenty 
meetings  in  thirteen  days.  I  reached  home  on  the  11th, 
thankful  to  kind  Heaven. 

On  the  12th,  brother  Benjamin  Murgridge,  a  worthy 
member  of  the  church,  was  killed  by  the  giving  way  of  a 
stone  wharf  at  the  navy  yard,  where  he  was  at  work.  He 
was  carried  down  with  the  stones,,  and  his  body  could  not 
♦  then  be  recovered.  How  uncertain  is  life.  Two  young 
men  came  to  visit  us — George  B.  Morrill  and  Henry 
P.  Guilford.  Brother  Morrill  took  his  stand  at  the  north 
of  the  town,  and  brother  Guilford  visited  about  town  and 
appeared  to  be  sent  of  the  Lord.  21st,  brother  Boothby 
preached  to  us.  On  the  26th,  the  body  of  brother  Murg- 
ridge was  found  by  the  aid  of  a  diving  bell,  and  a  large 
crowd  of  people  in  mourning  followed  his  remains  to  the 
silent  grave. 

August  4th,  preached  twice  at  Ogunquit,  and  baptized 

a  young  man  who  appeared  resolute  in  his  determination 

for  heaven.     On   the   11th,  I   baptized   two  at  Kittery. 

12th,  visited  a  sick  woman  who  was  seriously  impressed 

that  she  should  not  live  through  the  year  ;  she  was  very 

sick  several  years  before,  when  I  prayed  with  her  that  her 

sickness  might  not  be  unto  death,  but  that  a  certain  num- 
26 


302  LIFE    OF   ELDER   MARK    FERNALD. 

ber  of  years  might  be  added,  which  she  said  would  expire 
that  year.     She  died  on  the  17th. 

September  11th,  went  to  York  to  attend  the  Rocking- 
ham conference,  which  was  a  very  pleasant  season  ;  three 
young  men  were  approbated  to  labor  among  our  churches, 
viz  :  Hezekiah  Burnham,  George  B.  Morrill,  and  Henry 
P.  Guilford.  The  meetings  were  well  attended  and  very 
good.  On  the  14th,  at  a  church  conference  at  the  north 
of  Kittery,  a  man  came  forward  for  baptism,  who  had 
waited  thirty -two  years  to  get  fit.  15th,  brother  Clement 
Phinney  preached  with  me.  Had  the  cancerous  tumor 
extracted  from  my  face.  18th,  Elder  Colby  visited  me, 
and  joined  us  in  worship.  Being  feeble,  I  did  not  expose 
myself  for  some  days. 

October  3d,  went  to  Exeter,  and  4th,  to  Newton,  to 
attend  a  protracted  meeting  which  continued  through  the 
6th,  on  which  day  I  preached  freely  and  pointedly  against 
unchristian  worship,  and  particularly  showed  where  instru- 
mental music  originated,  and  for  what  it  was  now  used,  as  it 
was  near  making  a  split  in  that  highly  favored  and  previously 
united  church.  In  the  evening  I  preached  at  Salisbury 
Point  to  a  large  congregation,  while  all  was  solemnity.  I 
returned  home,  and  on  the  12th,  went  to  New  Market, 
Lamprey  River,  where  I  preached  on  the  13th,  but  had 
to  summon  resolution,  and  use  great  plainness  of  speech, 
in  order  to  obtain  freedom.  The  Free-will  Baptists  and 
Christians  had  the  meeting  house  in  turns  of  three  to  one, 
but  the  hardness  rendered  it  unpleasant.  I  wished  the 
Christians  to  leave  and  go  by  themselves,  unless  the  others 
would  do  otherwise  than  leave  the  house  when  their  ministers 
did  not  preach.     It  was  a  good  day  to  me  and  many  others. 


LIFE   OF   ELDER   MARK    FERISTALD.  303 

On  the  16th,  I  met  with  brother  D.  P.  Pike,  at  the 
north  meeting  in  Kitterj,  who  preached  to  us  the  word  of 
life.  17th,  and  18th,  at  South  Berwick,  at  a  general 
meeting.  It  Avas  a  busy  season  and  only  a  few  attended. 
There  was  some  interest,  but  not  satisfactory  to  me.  The 
sore  on  my  face  became  so  irritated  by  exposure  and 
fatigue,  that  I  was  obliged  to  return  home.  On  the  19th, 
I  Faptized  one  at  Spruce  Creek.  24th,  attended  the  bur- 
ial of  a  man  aged  eighty  years,  who  had  lived  careless  and 
intemperate,  and  died  as  he  lived,  supposing  he  was  going 
to  heaven.  How  many  there  are  who  spend  all  their  days 
in  sin  and  the  service  of  the  Devil,  and  still  imagine  they 
are  going  to  dwell  with  Jesus.  30th,  went  to  Rye,  New 
Hampshire,  at  the  dedication  of  the  new  meeting  house. 
A  meeting  of  several  days'  continuance  was  held  in  con- 
nection with  the  dedication,  which  resulted  in  great  good. 

November  4th,  I  returned  home.  Labored  mostly  with 
my  hands,  as  my  face  was  very  sore,  until  the  12th,  when 
I  went  to  Exeter,  to  the  meeting  of  the  Eastern  Christian 
Publishing  Association,  and  in  the  evening  heard  William 
Miller  lecture  on  Daniel,  and  the  Revelation,  as  given  by 
John.  According  to  his  reckoning,  time  would  end  in 
1843.  I  believed  him  a  sincere  man,  and  quite  a  historian, 
but  concluded  he  reckoned  without  his  host.  Many  be- 
lieved him,  and  a  reformation  followed  his  lectures.  On 
the  19th,  went  to  Wolfborough,  with  brother  Charles 
Stevens,  and  met  Elder  Colby  at  the  water  for  baptism. 
Elder  Shaw  preached  in  the  evening.  On  the  20th,  went 
to  Tuftonborough,  to  the  dedication  of  the  Christian  Chapel. 
I  felt  hurt  because  preachers  of  other  societies  were  not 
invited.     A  protracted  meeting  was  held,  following  the 


304  LIFE    OF   ELDER   MARK   FERNALD. 

dedication.     26th,  I  baptized  two  at  Wolf  borough,  though 

it  was  extremely  cold.     We  had  a  blessed  time.     Returned 

home  on  the  27th. 

December  11th,  as  I  had  been  unwell  by  reason  of  the 

cancerous  sore  on  my  face,  and  unable  to  labor  as  usual, 

for  some  days,  and  thinking  on  Jesus,  I  wrote  the  following. 

Jesus  shall  reiizn,  God's  holy  Son, 

Our  Prince  and  Kins,  till  time  is  done; 

Hiuh  Priest  and  Mediator  too, 

This  truth  should  all  the  nations  know. 

Jesus,  dear  name,  our  hope  and  trust, 
Throu2h  whom  saints  .gain  their  heavenly  rest; 
His  grace  abounds,  both  rich  and  free, 
Corae,  mourning  soul,  Christ  died  for  thee. 

Jesus  once  gave  his  life  for  men  : 
He  lived  to  preach,  then  died  for  sin; 
Come,  sinners,  come  to  him  and  live, 
Embrace  his  everlasting  love. 

Jesus  who  died,  now  lives  in  heaven, 
By  him  our  sins  can  be  forgiven, 
Repent,  believe,  obey  his  word, 
Receive  him  Savior,  King,  and  Lord. 

Jesus  will  crown  his  saints  with  joy, 
And  count  them  gold  without  alloy. 
While  those  who  do  this  Christ  reject, 
No  life  or  heaven  can  e'er  expect. 

Jesus,  eternal  life  will  give. 
Immortal  crowns  beyond  the  grave, 
Come,  sinner,  to  this  Savior  turn. 
Before  your  souls  in  anguish  mourn. 

On  the  13th,  by  request,  I  preached  at  the  Pleasant 
street  meeting  house,  Portsmouth,  and  had  an  interesting 
season.  19th,  preached  there  again,  but  not  with  much 
comfort.  A  division  had  taken  place  in  the  Christian 
church  at  Portsmouth,  and  I  labored  to  rectify  some  mat- 


LIFE   OF   ELDER  MARK    FERNALD.  305 

ters,  but  found  my  Bible  true,  "  Where   there  is  envying 
and  strife,  &c.,  there  is  confusion  and  evil  work." 

On  the  loth,  there  was  a  memorable  storm.  God's 
power  in  the  sea  and  wind  defied  man's  skill  and  art. 
Many  vessels,  and  lives,  and  much  property,  were  lost. 
At  Gloucester,  Cape  Ann,  about  forty  lives  were  lost  in 
the  harbor.  On  the  18th,  I  went  to  the  sea  shore,  and 
saw  the  clothes  of  some  unknown  men,  that  the  sea  had 
thrown  up  from  its  unsearched  grave  yard.  On  the  28th, 
we  had  another  similar  storm,  and  the  same  in  its  effects. 
"  The  sea  and  waves  roaring,  while  men's  hearts  failed." 
There  was  more  loss  of  live  and  more  distress  within  the 
distance  of  one  hundred  miles  on  the  seaboard,  than  I  had 
known  for  twenty-five  years. 

Whilst  the    Christless  were   sporting   on   destruction's 
brink,  I  felt  deeply  solemn  as  the  year  closed,  in  view  of  ^ 
the  great  events,  and  sore  distress,  experienced  during  the 
year.     Lord  help  me  to  make  full  proof  of  my  ministry, 
and  get  ready  to  be  offered. 

1810.  During  the  month  of  January,  I  preached,  vis- 
ited, and  labored  in  Kittery,  excepting  on  the  22d,  by  the 
request  of  William  Miller,  I  heard  him  lecture  at  Ports- 
mouth, on  the  Second  Coming  of  Christ.  He  gave  a  course 
of  about  twelve  lectures,  while  hundreds  flocked  to  hear 
him,  and  a  revival  and  reformation  followed.  Many  were 
hopefully  converted  to  God. 

In  February,  a  revival  commenced  in  Kittery,  especially 

in  the  southwest  part  of  the  town,  and  also  in  the  centre, 

where  we  had  been  almost  discouraged.     I  attended  a  few 

meetings  with  Elder  Millard,  at  the  Pleasant  street  church, 

Portsmouth.     An  almost   universal  excitement  prevailed 
26* 


806  LIFE   OF  ELDER   MARK   FERNALD. 

in  Portsmouth,  and  scores,  if  not  hundreds,  found  peace  in 
Jesus.  On  the  12th,  was  at  the  dedication  of  a  new 
Chapel  at  Stratham,  for  Elder  N.  Piper.  A  protracted 
meeting  followed,  which  was  profitable.  On  the  16th,  I 
preached  to  our  people,  on  the  Savior's  first  and  second 
mission  and  business  to  earth,  from  Acts  i :  11.  The  work 
of  God  going  forward,  the  people  flocked  together,  not- 
withstanding the  traveling  was  very  bad.  On  the  24th,  I 
visited  the  southwest  of  the  town,  but  found  satan,  mj  old 
enemy,  had  got  at  work  to  put  enmity  between  me  and 
the  Methodist  brethren,  by  misrepresenting  an  enquiry  I 
had  made  about  an  appointment.  I  preached,  however, 
and  put  down  the  felly. 

I  attended  a  protracted  meeting  at    Chestnut  stre 
church,  Portsmouth,  and  visited  my  old  friend,  D.  Goss, 
who  was  very  sick.     I  rode  home  in  the  evening  of  a  very 
dark  night,  and  though  in  danger,  the  All-seeing  eye  took 
care  of  me.     A  number  came  over  on  the  Lord's  side. 

March  2d,  received  the  sad  tidings  of  the  death  of 
brother  Daniel  Goss,  and  a  request  to  attend  his  burial, 
which  I  did  on  the  4th.  Brother  Goss  was  sixty-two  years 
of  age,  and  a  godly  man.  A  proved  friend  to  truth,  and 
a  familiar  of  mine  for  thirty-three  years.  On  the  8th,  I 
baptized  two  men.  On  the  9th,  I  preached  in  that  part 
of  the  town  where  the  greatest  excitement  had  been,  but  I 
found  some  opposition  through  the  influence  of  a  preacher, 
and  some  certain  leaders,  which  demanded  plain  Bible 
testimony  from  me,  although  not  well  received  by  some. 
I  found  many  of  the  young  hurried  into  a  profession  of 
rehgion,  like  picking  chickens  out  of  the  shell,  to  die 
prematurely. 


LIFE   OF   ELDER   MARK    FERNALD.  307 

On  the  20th,  attended  at  the  ordination  of  brother  H. 
P.  Guilford,  at  New  Castle.  He  was  the  only  person 
ordained  on  that  Island  for  fifty  years.  It  was  a  time  of 
reA^val  there. 

April  5th,  baptized  two  very  promising  youth,  which 
was  a  joyful  and  profitable  season.  On  the  9th,  was  state 
Fast.  A  general  meeting  commenced  at  York,  which  con- 
tinued many  days,  and  resulted  in  great  good.  A  revival 
spread  from  that  meeting.  My  labors  were  very  arduous, 
as  I  had  to  visit  the  diSerent  sections  of  the  town,  and  the 
work  of  reformation  was  going  on.  I  saw  and  urged  the 
necessity  of  a  reform  in  conference  meetings ;  instead  of 
bringing  our  trials  into  such  meetings,  reserve  them  for 
secret  prayer,  and  leave  them  with  the  Lord,  who  is  the 
great  burden-bearer,  and  not  burden  our  brethren.  I 
saw  it  also  to  be  necessary  that  brethren  and  sisters  who 
improve  in  public  confine  themselves  to  the  subject  to 
which  they  have  hstened,  if  they  befieve  the  preaching, 
and  not  to  ramble  in  their  exhortations  ;  for -if  the  subject 
they  have  heard  is  worthy  of  attention,  all  following  re- 
marks should  go  to  strengthen  it ;  whereas  remarks  that 
are  foreign  to  it,  only  serve  to  draw  off  the  attention  of  the 
hearers  ;  and  moreover,  if  the  preacher  has  been  under 
the  influence  of  the  Spirit,  and  God  impresses  a  brother  or 
sister  to  speak,  it  will  be  in  accordance  with  what  is 
preached. 

May  10th,  I  baptized  two,  and  on  the  17th,  one  more. 
The  revival  progressed  gradually.  Old  saints  were  joined 
by  young  converts  in  their  rejoicing.  28th,  and  29th, 
attended  a  protracted  meeting  at  Wells,  North  Village,  so 


308  LIFE   OP   ELDER  MAUK   FBRNALD. 

called.  The  meeting  was  good,  and  the  prospect  very 
encouraging. 

June  6th,  in  visiting,  I  called  on  a  sick  man  who  had 
been  deistical,  and  a  vile  blasphemer.  I  found,  as  I  had 
heard,  his  mind  wholly  changed.  He  wondered  that  any 
rational  man  could  be  so  bhnd  as  he  had  been.  His  illness 
had  been  the  means  of  reforming  him  to  God.  17th,  I 
baptized  two.  10th,  attended  the  dedication  of  the  re- 
opening of  the  Congregational  meeting  house  in  Kittery, 
which  had  stood  over  one  hundred  years.  We  listened  to 
a  full  and  interesting  history  of  meeting  houses  and  churches 
in  Kittery  for  one  hundred  and  sixty  years.  13th,  at- 
tended the  New  Hampshire  conference  at  Durham,  New 
Hampshire,  and  ordination  of  brother  J.  H.  Smith.  The 
conference  decided  on  locating  the  Academy,  which  had 
been  in  contemplation  sometime,  at  Durham.  On  the  18th, 
a  protracted  or  general  meeting  commenced  at  Ogunquit. 
Several  preachers  were  present,  and  on  the  19th,  I  heard 
George  Moore  Payne  preach,  for  the  first  time.  On  the 
20th,  I  baptized  two.  The  prospect  was  good,  and  several 
came  forward  for  prayers  during  the  meeting.  I  returned 
home,  and  having  spoken  so  much  my  voice  almost  failed 
me,  yet  I  mourned  to  feel  so  low  and  of  so  Httle  use  in  the 
world. 

July  4th,  held  two  religious  meetings,  and  on  the  5th, 
baptized  five  converts.  6th,  some  friends  from  Wolf  bor- 
ough and  Great  Falls  visited  me,  and  on  the  7th,  I  made 
an  excursion  with  them  to  sea.  On  the  9th,  at  a  church 
conference  at  the  north  of  the  town,  a  young  man  made 
application  to  unite  with  the  church,  assigning  as  one  rea- 


LIFE   OF   ELDER  MARK   FERNALD.  309 

son,  that  lie  wanted  a  Bible  name,  and  that  he  found  to  be 
nothing  but  Christian.  He  had  been  hard  pressed  to  go 
with  another  people.  12th,  Elder  Abner  Jones  visited 
and  preached  with  us.  19th,  I  baptized  at  the  north  of  the 
town ;  thence  to  York,  where  I  labored  some  during  the 
month. 

In  August,  I  labored  as  in  several  months  previous,  in 
Kitterj,  York,  Portsmouth,  and  New  Castle.  On  the 
16th,  I  baptized  one.  On  the  30th,  Charles  Bryant,  a 
youth  from  Boston,  who  had  just  commenced  public  labors, 
spoke  once  to  us. 

September  1st,  joined  Elder  Edwin  Burnham  and  sister 
Alice  Dennett  in  marriage.  8th,  went  to  Hampton  Falls 
and  preached  at  brother  Richard  Morrill's.  9th,  to  New- 
ton, to  attend  the  Rockingham  conference  and  New  Hamp- 
shire Benevolent  Society.  On  the  10th,  preached  at  the 
ordination  of  brother  0.  P.  Tuckerman.  Returned  home  by 
the  way  of  Kensington,  Exeter,  and  Stratham,  and  on  the 
12th,  I  found  the  heated  poUtical  parties  collecting  for 
their  harangues.  Professors  of  Christianity  were  all  alive 
to  poHtics,  but  nearly  dead  to  religion. 

On  the  16th,  I  started  on  a  tour.  17th,  reached  Wolf- 
borough,  and  attended  the  Strafford  conference,  which 
commenced  on  the  18th.  After  preaching  on  the  20th,  I 
went  to  Tuftonborough,  and  met  with  Elder  William  Blais- 
dell,  and  a  large  congregation,  to  whom  I  preached.  21st, 
went  to  Moultonborough,  and  at  evening  returned  to  Tuf- 
tonborough, and  heard  brother  Dickson  preach.  On  the 
23d,  went  to  Brookfield  to  visit  an  aged  saint  who  was 
near  death.  I  found  her  extremely  sick,  yet  happy,  with 
one  exception.     She  had  belonged  to  no  visible  church  on 


310  LIFE   OF   ELDER  MARK    FERNALD. 

earth  for  several  years,  and  was  anxious  that  I  should 
have  her  name  entered  with  the  church  in  Wolf  borough 
before  she  died.  On  the  24th,  the  church  granted  her 
request.  On  that  day,  and  at  that  church  conference,  I 
met  with  Elder  Joseph  Banfield,  who  had  been  separated 
from  the  brethren  by  Universalism.  He  gave  us  a  very 
candid  account  of  his  departure  and  the  cause.  He  said 
he  was  disappointed  in  becoming  acquainted  with  the  Uni- 
versahsts ;  that  they  were  not  united,  humble,  godly,  nor 
spiritual,  with  a  few  exceptions.  His  confession  was  sat- 
isfactory to  the  brethren. 

After  preaching  several  times,  and  in  different  parts  of 
Wolfborough,  and  attending  the  dedication  of  a  Free-will 
Baptist  meeting-house,  the  exercises  of  which  were  solemn 
and  good,  I  left  for  Milton,  where  I  reached  on  the  eve- 
ning of  the  29th.  On  the  evening  of  the  29th,  I  preached 
at  a  rum  village.  The  evening  was  rainy,  but  several  as- 
sembled and  heard  a  plain  and  pointed  testimony  against 
sin.  A  Universalist  preacher  was  present  and  offered 
some  very  appropriate  remarks.  He  appeared  to  know 
what  was  right  whether  he  practised  it  or  not.  I  returned 
home  on  the  30th,  and  escaped  a  severe  storm. 

I  remained  in  Kittery  a  few  days,  and  had  several 
meetings.  October  13th,  I  went  to  Saco  and  attended  a 
protracted  meeting  which  commenced  on  that  day,  about 
three  miles  north  of  the  Falls.  The  meetings  were  held  in 
a  convenient  barn  by  day,  and  in  school  houses  in  the 
evenings.  There  being  but  a  few  preachers  present, 
I  preached  once  each  day  and  every  evening.  The 
weather  was  cold,  and  the  aged  and  feeble  could  not 
well  attend,   yet   there  was   some   interest.     I  returned 


LIFE    OF   ELDER   MARK    FERNALD.  311 

home  on  the  17th,  wishing  people's  hearts  might  be 
more  liberal  than  to  reward  a  journey  and  week's  labor 
with  tolls,  &c.,  ^'^lih.  fifty  cents.  The  Lord  will  reward  me, 
and  charge  it  to  the  delinquents. 

Politics  and  worldly  business  ran  so  high  as  almost,  or 
quite,  to  distract  people's  minds.  It  was  a  serious  trial  to 
me  to  find  professors  of  Christianity  hardly  willing  to 
speak  about  rehgion,  and  yet  full  of  talk  about  the  world 
and  politics.  Towards  the  last  of  the  month,  our  prospects 
began  to  brighten,  and  I  saw  success  follow  a  discourse  I 
gave  on  Luke  xv  :  8,  9. 

On  November  2d,  was  the  Presidential  election  in  Maine, 
and  a  political  distraction  manifested  itself ;  but  home  was 
the  place  for  me,  as  I  had  never  voted  for  a  state  or  gov- 
ernment ofiicer  since  my  call  to  the  ministry.  On  the  3d, 
I  went  to  New  Market,  Lamprey  River,  to  assist  in  a  meet- 
ing of  some  days.  Only  a  few  attended  by  day,  but  more 
at  evening.  On  the  evening  of  the  4th,  at  the  fourth 
meeting  we  had  held  that  day,  brother  J.  C  Blodgett  and 
myself  gave  offence.  The  object  of  the  meeting  was  to 
raise  the  society,  as  it  had  become  scattered  through  the 
influence  of  other  societies.  I  offended  in  three  things. 
First,  I  calmly  reproved  the  irreverent  habit  of  sitting  in 
time  of  prayer,  except  the  person  praying,  especially  in 
prayer  meetings ;  when  one  was  done  praying  for  another 
to  kneel  and  pray,  appeared  as  though  there  was  no  union 
in  their  prayers.  Second,  the  heedless  and  needless  habit 
of  repeating  the  name  of  God,  God  Almighty,  a  score  of 
times  in  a  prayer  or  an  exhortation.  The  third  was,  I 
requested  the  brethren  to  look  to  Heaven  alone  for  help 
and  wait  on  the  Lord,  for  they  could  not  expect  other  soci- 


312  LIFE    OF   ELDER   MARK    FERNALD. 

eties  would  come  to  build  them  up,  as  there  was  a  preju- 
dice against  us,  and  we  were  considered  Unitarians,  &c. 
Before  the  meeting  closed  we  had  several  good  testimo- 
nies. After  the  close  of  the  meeting,  when  at  a  brother's 
house,  I  was  informed  of  the  offence  I  had  given,  and  told 
that  it  would  be  known  all  through  the  village  hj  9  o'clock 
-'the  next  morning,  and  that  the  people  would  not  attend 
meeting ;  that  thej  were  not  fools.  I  replied,  I  did  not 
think  them  fools,  nor  was  I  a  fool ;  and  that  if  the  breth- 
ren did  not  do  harm  with  mj  remarks,  others  would  not. 
The  next  day  the  people  attended  full  as  well,  with  full  as 
much  spirituality,  and  with  much  more  tenderness  of  feel- 
ing ;  but  I  saw  I  should  not  benefit  some,  at  least,  and  so 
I  left  during  the  day  and  returned  home.  On  the  22d, 
baptized  a  man  and  his  son. 

December  1st,  went  to  Concord  ;  thence  to  Boscawen, 
and  on  the  2d,  to  Salisbury  and  Andover  to  attend  a  gen- 
eral meeting.  On  the  3d,  I  preached  at  the  dedication  of 
a  meeting  house.  The  meeting  was  unusually  large  and 
solemn.  Several  preachers  attended,  and,  for  the  first 
time  in  my  ministry,  a  mechanical  worshiper,  or  instru- 
ment, was  used  in  connection  with  my  sermon.  It  was 
done  slyly  at  that  time,  after  a  promise  being  made  that  it 
should  not  be.  The  Lord  judge  in  this  matter.  Instru- 
ments had  been  used  twice  in  my  temperance  meetings, 
without  my  consent,  but  never  in  my  rehgious  meetings. 
The  meetings  continued  on  the  4th,  5th,  and  6th.  On  the 
first  day  of  the  week  we  had  a  very  interesting  season, 
and  I  had  uncommon  liberty.  We  had  a  cold  snow  storm, 
yet  many  attended  ;  some  from  a  distance  of  fifteen  miles. 
The  friends  rewarded  me  for  my  labors,  and  I  left  them 


LIFE   OF   ELDER   MARK    FERNALD.  313 

in  peace.  On  the  7th,  I  preached  in  Franklin,  and  8th, 
at  another  section  of  the  town,  and  had  a  very  awakening 
time,  and  also  visited  soma  aged  saints  who  were  near  their 
end  and  home. 

On  the  10th,  I  rode  to  Farmington  Dock,  and  attended 
a  protracted  meeting,  where  I  felt  at  home.  On  the  11th, 
I  preached  twice  and  brother  Hersey  once.  Several  came 
forward  for  prayers,  and  some  obtained  hope.  12th,  on 
receiving  a  letter  from  rny  daughter,  I  returned  home,  and 
found  our  prospects  very  encouraging. 

21st,  I  started  for  Portland,  to  attend  a  meeting  of  days 
with  brother  S.  E.  Brown,  at  the  Temple  street  church. 
The  meeting  resulted  in  good  as  the  Lord  helped,  and 
souls  were  brought  to  repentance.  Peace  and  a  free  con- 
tribution rewarded  me,  and  I  left  the  city  on  the  26th, 
and  returned  home,  having  attended  fifteen  meetings  in 
one  week. 

On  the  evening  of  the  31st,  met  at  the  Congregational 
meeting  house  with  three  other  preachers  and  a  few  peo- 
ple, for  it  was  extremely  cold,  to  keep  what  is  called  a 
watch  night.  I  preached  first  at  evening,  and  brother 
Hobert  last.  It  was  a  solemn  and  interestiug  season.  We 
parted  thirty  minutes  past  twelve  o'clock.  Another  year 
was  gone. 

'^  Our  life  at  best  is  but  a  span  ; 
Few  ate  the  days  allowed  lo  tnan, 

To  number  heie  in  pain. 
Each  moment  flips  ihe  little  space, 
Contracts  the  span,  cuts  s\un\  the  ia;'e, 

And  windd  the  moilal  chain." 


27 


314  LIFE   OF   ELDER   MARK   FERNALD. 


CHAPTER  XX. 

B.  DICKSON  AND  G.  M.  PAYNE  ORDAINED — DEATH  OF  ABNER 
JONES — NEW  HAMPSHIRE    CONFERENCE    AT    SPRINGFIELD 

C.  A.    EASTMAN    AND    THOMAS  BARTLETT  ORDAINED — 

ADVENT  EXCITEMENT SECOND  CHURCH  FORMED  AT  KIT- 

TERY,  FORESIDE — CHRISTIAN  CAMP  MEETING  AT  TAUNTON, 

MASSACHUSETTS DEATH    OF    ELDER    E.     LEAVITT,     OP 

NORTH  HAMPTON,  NEW  HAMPSHIRE. 

1841.  January  2d,  I  preaclied  at  New  Castle,  and  on 
the  6th,  a  protracted  meeting  commenced  there  which  was 
attended  with  good.  At  the  close  several  appeared  to  be 
seeking  Jesus.  Devoted  much  of  my  time  to  visiting,  and 
witnessed  some  reviving  among  the  people.  On  the  27th, 
attended  at  the  ordination  of  brother  R.  Kimball,  as  pastor 
over  the  Congregational  church  and  society.  28th,  went 
to  York,  to  assist  brother  Hall  in  a  four  days'  meeting. 
Returned  home  on  the  30th,  and  held  a  church  conference, 
and  labored  to  get  the  church  to  attend  to  their  duty  with 
disorderly  members. 

February  5th,  heard  some  converts  speak,  and  saw  some 
sinners  mourn,  and  returned  in  the  evening  in  the  time  of 
an  eclipse  of  the  moon,  which  looked  solemn  and  gloomy. 
The  work  of  the  Lord  was  somewhat  revived  in  the  north 


LIFE   OF   ELDER  MARK   FERNALD.  315 

of  the  town.  On  the  17th,  I  started  on  a  tour  to  New 
Hampshire ;  spent  a  few  days  at  Tuftonborough,  where 
their  pastor  had  requested  his  dismission,  and  a  request 
was  made  that  I  should  again  take  the  care  of  the  church. 
On  the  25th,  went  to  Stratham,  to  assist  Elder  N.  Piper 
in  a  protracted  or  four  days  meeting.  The  meeting  was 
serious  and  good. 

March  2d,  held  our  annual  temperance  meeting,  and 
were  addressed  by  S.  E.  Coues,  esquire,  of  Portsmouth. 
Having  received  letters  from  Tuftonborough,  requesting 
me  to  take  the  pastoral  care  of  the  church,  and  visit  them, 
to  hold  a  general  meeting,  I  was  perplexed  to  know  what 
to  do,  as  the  distance  was  fifty-five  miles,  and  the  traveling 
bad.  However,  on  the  11th,  I  started,  and  reached  Wolf- 
borough  chapel  at  four  o'clock  on  the  afternoon  of  the  12th, 
and  continued  until  the  16th.  We  had  a  very  interesting 
meeting.  On  the  17th,  a  few  preachers  held  an  interest- 
ing meeting  on  the  west  road  in  Tuftonborough,  and  I  held 
a  meeting  with  the  church.  I  was  requested  to  take  the 
charge  of  the  church.  On  the  18th,  as  an  only  remedy, 
I  accepted  the  request,  and  again  became  their  pastor. 
We  held  a  protracted  meeting,  which  resulted  in  the 
awakening  of  sinners.  On  the  22d,  the  meetings  closed 
with  the  ordination  of  brother  Benjamin  Dickson.  I 
reached  home  on  the  22d,  and  resumed  my  labors  as  usual. 

I  labored  in  visiting,  preaching,  praying,  singing,  &c., 
until  the  14th  of  April,  when  I  went  to  Hampton  Falls, 
New  Hampshire,  and  preached  at  the  ordination  of  George 
Moore  Payne,  from  1  Timothy  iii:  1.  Elders  J.  C. 
Blodgett,  W.  Lincoln,  D.  P.  Pike,  and  Edwin  Burnham, 
taking  part  in  the  exercises,  which  were  very  interesting. 


316  LIFE   OF   ELDER   MARK  FERNALD. 

On  the  15tli,  was  the  state  Fast,  and  I  preached  three 
times.  The  temperance  society  held  their  annual  meeting 
on  that  dajj  and  being  disappointed  of  a  lecturer,  I  ad- 
dressed the  society  at  the  Unitarian  chapel.  I  had  a  good 
day,  but  labored  too  hard. 

16th,  went  to  Exeter,  and  visited  Elder  Abner  Jones, 
and  to  my  surprise  found  him  sinking  rapidly,  yet  happy 
in  his  mind,  and  waiting  for  his  Lord  to  call  him.  He  had 
been  a  good  man,  and  the  first  man  in  Ncav  England  who 
commenced  the  "  Christian  Connexion."  I  returned  home, 
and  returned  to  my  accustomed  labors. 

May  2d,  had  the  aid  of  Elder  Simeon  Swett.  I  felt 
depressed  in  spirit  to  see  the  Laodicean  state  of  the  church. 
How  melancholy  to  see  professed  Christians  slumbering, 
I  found  a  very  unpleasant  spirit  of  disinterestedness  in  the 
society,  and  a  lack  of  brotherly  love  and  union  in  the 
church.  The  church  occupied  two  old  meeting  houses  at 
two  ends  of  the  town,  where  they  for  convenience  held 
meetings  on  the  Sabbath.  Many  at  both  meetings  wished 
new  houses,  so  situated  as  to  accommodate  better ;  others 
were  unwilling  to  incur  the  expense  of  new  houses,  espe- 
cially at  the  south  end  ;  and  the  want  of  union  in  that 
matter  had  a  bad  effect,  while  our  foes  took  advantage  of 
it.  On  the  14th,  was  a  National  Fast  in  consequence  of 
the  sudden  death  of  the  President,  William  H.  Harrison, 
but  only  a  few  attended  our  meeting. 

On  the  loth,  attended  the  burial  of  a  mother  in  Israel, 
widow  Susanna  Fowler,  aged  ninety-one  years.  She  ex- 
perienced religion  when  young,  and  was  baptized  about 
the  year  seventeen  hundred  and  ninety-six.  She  was  one 
of  the  fourteen  who  united  in  church  compact  in  Kittery, 


LIFE   OF   ELDER   MARK    FERNALD.  317 

known  by  the  name  "  Church  of  Christ,"  and  was  a 
remarkably  engaged  Christian.  About  thirteen  years 
before  her  death  her  name  was  withdrawn  from  the  church, 
and  united  with  a  Free-will  Baptist  church  ;  but  she  repeat- 
edly said  it  was  done  without  her  consent.  She  retired  in 
peace.  I  preached  from  Hebrews  xi :  13.  On  the  30th, 
received  the  tidings  of  the  death  of  Abner  Jones,  and  on 
the  31st,  in  company  with  many  other  preachers,  attended 
the  burial  of  that  worthy  man.  Much  might  be  said  in 
justice  and  truth  in  favor  of  Elder  Jones. 

June  4th,  I  commenced  a  journey  to  New  Hampshire  ; 
stopped  at  Wolfborough  and  Tuftonborough.  Held  meet- 
ings in  each  place  with  Elders  Colby  and  Dickson.  On 
the  6th,  Elder  Colby  baptized  four  at  the  Neck  in  the 
beautiful  Lake  Winnipiseogee.  I  then  proceeded  on 
through  Moultonborough,  Meredith,  Gilford,  Sanborn  ton, 
and  crossed  the  Merrimack  at  Franklin  ;  thence  to  An- 
dover,  Wilmot  and  New  London,  to  the  more  hilly  region 
of  Springfield,  and  found  a  home  at  brother  Bennet 
Palmer's.  The  New  Hampshire  conference  held  its 
session  here,  commencing  on  the  9th.  Various  circum- 
stances rendered  the  attendance  at  conference  small,  yet 
the  business  was  done  harmoniously,  and  we  were  assisted 
by  preachers  from  Vermont  and  New  York.  On  the  10th, 
and  11th,  we  held  pubhc  meetings  with  some  good  pros- 
pects, but  Zion  was  low.  There  was  rather  a  drought 
spiritually  and  temporally.  12th,  and  13th,  preached  at 
Andover.     On  the  13th,  broke  bread  to  the  church. 

On  the  14th,  went  to  Franklin,  and  visited  Elder  R. 
Davis,   and    our  aged  brother  and  sister  Morrison,  the 

parents  of  Elder  A.  C.  Morrison,  and  had  a  good  season 

27* 


318  LIFE   OF   ELDER  MARK    FERNALD. 

in  preaching.  15th,  preached  at  Gilmanton,  and  visited 
Elder  P.  Clarke.  16th,  journeyed  over  the  many  hills  and 
deep  vales,  with  the  air  hot  and  dry,  to  Dover,  and  learned 
that  Elder  WilHam  Buzzell  was  buried  that  day  at  Mid- 
dleton.  I  returned  home,  and  on  the  26th,  attended  the 
burial  of  Charles  Wilson,  a  Christian,  aged  twenty- three 
years,  whom  I  baptized  with  a  brother  and  sister  some 
months  previous.  He  was  a  very  serious,  exemplary, 
engaged  young  man,  who  waited  his  departure  with  joy, 
and  was  happy  in  view  of  arriving  "  home."  He  had  a 
dream  or  vision  when  he  viewed  himself  dead,  saw  his 
coffin,  and  heard  me  preach  from  Revelations  xiv :  13.  I 
arrived  home  in  season  to  preach  at  his  burial  from  said 
text.  His  countenance  seemed  to  receive  additional 
beauty  from  death,  or  indeed,  there  appeared  no  death 
there,  save  the  coffin  and  grave.  On  the  80th,  I  preached 
at  the  ordination  of  brother  Charles  Allen  Eastman,  at 
Kensington,  New  Hampshire,  from  Revelation  xxii :  12. 

July  1st,  visited  my  old  friends  at  Salisbury  Point. 
Returned  to  Kittery,  and  on  the  5th,  celebrated  Indepen- 
dence by  meeting  with  the  Congregational  preacher  at  his 
house  of  worship,  and  giving  an  address  to  children  on 
Independence,  after  which  he  gave  an  address  on  the 
Sabbath  and  Sabbath  schools.  11th,  baptized  sister  Sally 
Black,  who  was  in  the  86th  year  of  her  age.  Many 
attended,  and  we  had  a  solemn  season.  On  the  18th,  at 
the  north  of  the  town,  baptized  a  man  who  had  been  what 
•is  called  a  "  rumselling  Christian,"  but  had  professed  to 
jepent,  and  had  abandoned  the  traffic. 

August  3d,  I  heard  the  famous  reformed  drunkard,  J. 
W.  Hawkins,  lecture  on  the  evils  of  drinkin«i;  intoxicating 


LIFE    OF   ELDER   MARK    FERNALD.  319 

drink,  at  Portsmouth.  On  the  8th,  at  the  north  meeting, 
I  baptized  two  at  five  o'clock.  My  labors  were  very 
arduous  during  the  month,  yet  I  had  strength  equal  to  my 
day. 

September  7th,  went  to  Salisbury,  and  8th,  to  Newbu- 
ryport  to  attend  the  Rockingham  conference  and  general 
meeting.  The  business  of  conference  was  attended  to  very 
harmoniously,  and  the  meetings  which  followed  were  good  ; 
several  churches  and  ministers  were  added,  and  two 
preachers  ordained.  Several  discourses  were  delivered  at 
the  Washingtonian  head  quarters.  I  returned  home  on 
the  10th.  I  visited  Elder  George  Moore  Payne's  only 
son,  at  Hampton  Falls.  His  life  was  despaired  of  for 
many  days,  but  I  found  him  a  little  revived  on  my  return. 
Simple  means  were  used  for  good,  and  N.  Sewall  was 
raised  up  to  his  anxious  parents.  14th,  and  15th,  preached 
in  Sanford,  at  a  protracted  meeting.  The  prospects  were 
good.  That  evening  I  preached  in  Shapleigh.  Visited 
Wolf  borough  and  Tuftonborough.  At  Wolf  borough  bap- 
tized two,  who  were  the  fruit  of  my  labors,  one  twenty  and 
the  other  thirty  years  before.  21st,  to  Milton,  to  attend 
the  Strafford  conference.  22d,  preached  at  the  dedication 
of  a  new  meeting  house  from  Malachi  iii :  10 ;  "  That 
there  may  be  meat  in  my  house,"  and  Elder  John  Boothby 
made  the  consecrating  prayer.  After  preaching  a  few 
times  in  Milton,  I  returned  to  Kittery,  and  on  the  28th, 
attended  the  burial  of  the  w^oman  who  was  the  first  in 
Kittery  to  open  her  doors  and  heart  to  receive  traveling 
preachers. 

October  1st,  I  went  to  Hampton   Falls  to  see  brother 
George   Moore   Payne,  who  was  very  dangerously  sick. 


320  LIFE   OF   ELDER  MARK   FERNALD. 

Having  a  strong  constitution,  rendered  very  much  so  by 
his  careful  habits,  and  possessing  a  disposition  never  to  give 
up,  together  with  the  careful  attention  of  his  friends  and 
neighbors,  and  the  nursing  of  one  of  the  best  of  wives, 
under  the  blessing  of  Heaven,  he  was  raised  to  his  wonted 
good  health. 

On  the  3d  and  4th,  we  had  a  severe  gale  and  storm, 
which  was  very  distressing  and  destructive  on  the  sea.  To 
the  close  of  this  month  I  was  severely  afflicted  with  a  ner- 
vous difficulty  in  my  head,  caused  by  a  bad  tooth. 

November  3d,  journeyed  to  Rochester,  and  spent  the 
evening  with  aged  brother  Runnels  and  daughter's  family. 
He  was  humbly  waiting  his  departure.  4th,  went  to 
Wolfborough,  and  at  evening  attended  a  prayer  meeting 
at  the  house  of  a  brother  whom  God  had  saved  from  a 
course  of  profanity,  hard  drinking,  and  almost  every  evil,  and 
made  him  a  bold,  persevering  Christian.  His  wife  and  two 
children  were  Zion's  members.  Had  many  good  meetings 
in  the  region  of  Wolfborough.  In  most  of  the  meetings 
Elders  R.  Allen,  B.  Dickson,  and  J.  T.  G.  Colby  met  with 
me,  and  the  Lord  blessed  us  indeed.  There  was  the  best 
spirit  of  union  I  had  seen  for  a  long  time.  On  the  11th, 
I  preached  at  the  dedication  of  the  Centre  chapel  in 
Wolfborough.  A  meeting  followed  the  services  of  the 
dedication  to  continue  four  days,  but  I  was  under  the 
necessity  of  leaving.     The  prospects  appeared  promising. 

On  the  25th,  it  being  state  Thanksgiving,  we  formed  a 
Washingtonian  Total  Abstinence  Society,  of  about  eighty 
members.  From  the  26th  to  the  close  of  the  month,  I 
attended  a  protracted  meeting  at  Portsmouth  with  the 
Pleasant  street  society. 


LIFE    OF   ELDER   MARK    FERNALD.  321 

In  December,  I  labored  in  Kittery,  York,  and  Ports- 
mouth, with  some  encouragement,  but  in  poor  health.  The 
year  1841  closed  while  I  was  at  home. 

1812.  January  1st.  I  commenced  another  year  of 
frail  mortal  life,  hoping  to  serve  the  Lord,  and  be  by  grace 
prepared  for  all  that  might  come.  Toward  the  close  of  the 
month,  a  revival  broke  forth,  but  about  that  time  my  health 
so  failed  that  I  was  unable  to  attend  meetin-jfs  for  about  a 

o 

week.  I  felt  tried  and  very  anxious.  On  the  24th, 
Elder  William  H.  Ireland  and  wife  came  to  visit  us.  His 
coming  was  timely,  needed  and  welcome.  He  was  a  true 
yoke-fellow,  and  helped  m;ich  in  the  Lord.  On  the  30th, 
I  went  to  York  on  an  exchange  with  brother  Bartlett. 
31st,  a  storm  of  rain.  Never  did  I  see  such  a  winter 
before  for  rain,  mud,  and  warm  weather  ;  yet  the  people 
thronged  out  to  meeting,  through  mud  and  darkness.  The 
excitement  w^as  unusual,  and  great  exertions  were  made 
by  some  to  get  people  forward  for  prayers,  and  to  profess 
religion. 

February  6th,  I  baptized  three.  Brother  Ireland 
remained  with  us,  laboring  successfully.  On  the  13th,  I 
baptized  eight,  and  the  good  work  went  on,  although  efforts 
were  made  to  stop  its  progress.  The  cause  of  temperance, 
or  total  abstinence,  progressed  also.  On  the  20th,  our 
meeting  continued  about  four  hours,  in  which  scores  spoke 
or  prayed  ;  some  for  the  first  time.  At  the  close  of  the 
month,  the  revival  appeared  to  abate,  yet  several  were 
seeking  the  Lord, 

"  Awake  ray  heart,  arise  my  tongue, 
Prepare  a  tuiielul  voice; 
In  Gud,  tile  life  of  all  my  joys, 
Aloud  will  I  rejoice, ^^ 


322  LIFE   OF   ELDER   MARK    FERNALD. 

March  1st,  Elder  Boothbj  visited  us  and  preached.  In 
his  meeting  some  found  comfort.  The  spring  came,  and 
Tve  had  had  no  snow  through  the  whole  winter,  save  two 
or  three  inches  which  lasted  a  few  days.  Never  did  we 
see  the  like  for  incessant  rains  and  open  ground.  I  knew 
not  what  the  Lord  would  do  next. 

On  the  6th,  I  baptized  six.  Elder  Boothby  remaining 
with  us  and  laboring  for  souls.  On  the  13th,  I  baptized 
five.  14th,  I  spoke  at  a  burial  to  a  verj  large  body  of 
people,  from  the  text,  "  My  flesh  shall  rest  in  hope."  I 
showed  from  scripture  whose  flesh  would  rest  in  hope,  and 
in  hope  of  what,  viz  :  an  immortal  body.  On  the  20th,  I 
spoke  on  evil  speaking  and  envy,  and  meant  w^hat  I  said. 
My  wife  having  a  desire  to  hear  some  one  lecture  on  the 
Second  Coming  of  Christ,  as  it  was  understood  by  what  is 
called  the  Adventists,  I  took  her  to  Portsmouth,  to  hear 
Charles  Fitch,  on  the  29th.  She  heard  him  that  evening 
and  the  next  day,  but  not  being  benefited  she  wished  to 
return. 

In  April,  I  met  much  opposition  from  a  preacher  who 
raised  a  contention  about  Christ's  being  the  Eternal  God, 
and  scarcely  anything  else  could  be  heard  for  a  few  days, 
in  the  streets,  shops  or  stores,  or  even  town  meeting.  It 
was  truly  ridiculous  and  disgusting,  but,  "  he  that  diggeth 
a  pit  shall  fall  into  it."  On  the  3d,  I  baptized  two,  and 
on  the  10th,  more.  On  the  23d,  our  brethren  raised  a 
new  chapel.  24th,  I  preached  at  the  north  meeting 
house.  Various  evil  workino;s  had  contributed  to  brino; 
them  into  a  depressed  and  scattered  state,  they  having 
had  but  little  preaching  at  their  place  of  worship.  Similar 
evil  workings  made  it  important  that  I  should  labor  more 


LIFE   OF  ELDER  MARK    FERNALD.  323 

than  usual  in  the  south  section.  I  was  sick  of  sectarian 
craft  to  beguile  people  from  what  thej  understood  to  be 
right — to  build  up  party  societies.  26th,  preached  at  the 
southwest  of  the  town,  near  the  United  States  Navj  Yard, 
where  our  brethren  were  makino;  some  arrano-ements  to 
build  a  chapel. 

In  May,  I  continued  mj  labors  as  I  was  wont  to  do, 
until  the  16th,  when  I  went  to  Haverhill,  Massachusetts  ; 
the  people  circulated  an  appointment  and  got  out  a  good 
congregation.  Many  in  that  place  keep  their  "  lamps 
trimmed  and  lights  burning."  On  the  17th,  I  proceeded 
to  Lowell,  whither  I  had  been  called  to  labor  a  week.  I 
labored  mostly  with  Elder  Cole's  congregation,  but  feared 
the  people  looked  too  high,  or  for  more  than  I  was  able 
to  do.  The  meetings  were  interesting,  some  came  forward 
for  prayer,  and  on  the  22d,  nine  were  baptized.  On  the 
21st,  I  preached  to  the  second  church,  with  whom  Elder 
Ireland  was  laboring.  On  the  23d,  I  went  to  Charles- 
town,  and  tarried  on  the  top  of  the  far-famed  "Bunker 
Hill."  24th,  examined  the  monument  then  being  reared 
on  "  Breed's  Hill,"  and  looked  over  the  field  of  blood  and 
carnage,  but  my  heart  revolted  at  the  thought  of  war, 
notwithstanding  all  that  was  accomplished  by  the  revolu- 
tionary struggle.  Went  to  Boston  and  heard  William 
Miller  and  his  associates  lecture  on  the  coming  of  Christ 
in  1843.  They  were  holding  a  protracted  meeting  at  the 
Melodeon,  which  was  interesting,  even  to  such  as  did  not 
admit  the  evidence  they  produced  of  Christ  coming  again 
to  earth  in  1843.  26th,  I  left  Boston  and  traveled  to 
Newton,  New  Hampshire,  where  I  preached  at  evening. 
27th,  I  started  for  home,  but  rain  coming  on  I  stopped  at 


324  LIFE    OF   ELDER   MARK    FERXALD. 

Hampton  Falls.  Reached  home  the  next  day,  and  on  the 
30th,  attended  the  burial  of  Jeffrey,  a  gentlemanly  colored 
man,  aged  seventy-five  years. 

The  first  of  June,  I  visited  and  preached,  particularly 
visiting  the  sick  and  miserable.  12th,  I  went  to  Ports- 
mouth, on  exchange  with  Elder  Barry.  When  I  returned 
home,  I  was  amused  to  learn  that  brother  Barry  had 
preached  from  Esdras,  to  prove  that  the  world  would  end 
in  1843,  and  that  the  eight  feathers  were  the  first  eight 
Presidents  of  the  United  States,  and  the  two  little  feathers 
the  two  last  Presidents,  and  that  the  then  incumbent,  John 
Tyler,  would  die  before  the  year  was  out.  I  could  not 
agree  with  his  views,  and  thought  the  cause  was  a  poor 
one  that  could  not  be  sustained  by  the  Bible,  without  the 
Apocrypha. 

On  the  13th,  I  started  for  Allenstown,  New  Hampshire, 
to  attend  the  New  Hampshire  conference,  which  sat  there 
on  the  15th.  The  conference  was  harmonious,  and  good. 
A  wish  w^as  expressed  that  it  might  be  divided  into  two 
conferences,  and  have  no  sectional  conferences,  but  it  was 
not  concluded  on.  On  the  16th,  Elder  Lincoln  preached 
in  the  forenoon,  good  and  profitably.  On  the  ITth,  I 
preached  about  one  hour  and  fifty  minutes,  and  then  left 
for  Wolfborough  and  Tuftonborough,  whore  I  remained 
until  the  29th.  On  the  27th,  I  baptized  two  aged, 
respectable  farmers,  in  the  Lake.  They  were  sound  in  the 
faith.  Brother  Dickson  assisted  me  in  the  ordinance,  for 
one  of  them  was  very  helpless. 

On  the  29th,  I  went  .to  Acton,  to  visit  Elder  Paul  Rey- 
nolds, who  was  sick,  and  his  case  was  very  doubtful.  On 
the   30th,  a  very  large   concourse  of  people  assembled  at 


LIFE   OP   ELDER   MAEK    FERNALD.  325 

brother  J.  Hurd's  barn,  which  was  prepared  for  a  general 
meeting.  I  preached  once,  and  assisted  in  the-ordination 
of  bi-other  Thomas  Bartlett,  and  then  left,  while  others 
remained  to  carrj  on  the  meeting. 

Julj  1st,  I  returned  home,  and  found  all  well,  for  which 
I  tried  to  return  thanks.  Not  being  very  well,  and  much 
worn  down  by  my  journey,  I  worked  the  most  of  the  time 
for  several  days  in  my  hay-field,  which  did  me  good. 
24th,  took  public  leave  of  our  old  meeting  house,  which  we 
had  occupied  thirty-four  years  ;  and  on  the  28th,  we  ded- 
icated our  new  house  of  worship.  I  gave  an  account  of 
Bible  dedication,  and  then  dedicated  the  house  by  prayer. 
Elder  Shaw  preached  a  very  appropriate  discourse  in  the 
forenoon,  and  Elder  Ireland  preached  in  the  afternoon. 
On  the  31st,  I  broke  bread  to  the  church  in  the  house  for 
the  first  time.  We  had  a  very  interesting  day.  Elder 
Ireland  preached  in  the  afternoon. 

In  August,  I  labored  and  visited  extensively  in  and  out 
of  town.  On  the  14th,  exchanged  with  brother  Boothby, 
at  New  Castle.  I  had  much  freedom  in  speaking,  and 
believe  he  did  at  our  place.  On  the  21st,  I  preached  at 
the  southwest  of  the  town,  to  a  crowd.  26th,  to  North 
^Hampton,  and  27th,  on  an  exchange  with  brother  Edwin 
Burnham,  of  Exeter.  31st,  attended  the  burial  of  a  child, 
and  the  month  closed. 

September  10th,  went  to  North  Barnstead,  where  I  had 
an  a})pointment  to  preach  on  temperance.  11th,  preached 
thrice.  On  the  12th,  at  eight  o'clock  in  the  forenoon,  my 
nephew  Samuel  arrived  from  Kittery,  to  hasten  me  home 
to  see  his  sick  brother.  I  returned,  and  did  what  I  could 
for  him,  attending  on  him  thirty-three  hours.  He  had  two 
28 


326  LIFE   OP   ELDER   MARK   EERNALD. 

physicians  in  attendance,  and  had  a  third,  a  part  of  the 
time.  14th,  I  went  to  Durham,  New  Hampshire,  to  the 
New  Hampshire  conference  and  Benevolent  Society,  did 
my  business,  and  hastened  home  again,  where  I  found 
another  of  the  brothers  brought  to  his  father's,  with  the 
same  sickness.  I  continued  my  labors  with  these  brothers, 
who  were  tvvo  miles  apart,  doing  all  in  my  power,  and 
praying  much  for  direction.  On  the  21st,  Pelatiah,  the 
first  taken  sick,  died,  and  on  the  22d,  we  looked  on  him 
and  mourned  over  his  remains,  but  could  not  bring  him 
back.  Brethren  Boothby  and  Kimball  attended  the  burial 
services.  We  felt  that  a  good  man  had  fallen.  The  other 
brother  recovered,  and  also  the  third.  Brother  Hodgdon, 
a  young  preacher,  who  was  with  me  for  his  health,  assisted 
me  in  my  ministerial  labors.  On  the  28th,  attended  the 
burial  of  Martha  Seward,  who  died  very  happy.  She  was 
at  meeting  on  the  previous  Lord's  day,  and  remarked  to 
her  friends  at  the  close  of  the  day,  that  Elder  Fernald 
said  some  might  be  present  who  would  never  be  able  to 
attend  there  again.  The  next  day  she  was  taken  sick, 
and  was  confident  she  should  die. 

October  2d,  in  the  morning,  I  was  sent  for  to  visit  Mr. 
William  Seward,  junior,  the  father  of  the  before-mentioned, 
who  was  violently  sick  with  the  same  disease.  I  did  what 
I  could  for  him,  but  being  desirous  to  see  a  doctor,  I  was 
willing,  and  he  employed  the  United  States  navy  surgeon, 
who  attended  him  a  few  days.  By  request,  I  visited  him 
daily,  and  on  the  7th,  at  eight  o'clock  in  the  evening,  I 
was  sent  for  to  dismiss  my  meeting,  and  visit  him  immedi- 
ately, as  he  was  given  over  by  the  physician.  He  died  on 
the  8th.     A  loss  indeed.     I  would  remark  that  those  who 


LIFE   OF   ELDER   MARK    FERNALD.  327 

were  taken  with  that  disease,  and  were  sweat  or  steamed 
at  first,  and  had  a  thorough  emetic  given  them,  in  most 
instances  recovered.  With  some,  that  course  of  treatment 
had  to  be  repeated  several  times.  On  the  18th,  went  to 
Kennebunk,  and  attended  a  protracted  meeting.  20th, 
returned  home.  On  the  22d,  baptized  a  man  and  his  wife. 
26ih,  went  to  Wolfborough,  where  I  found  some  very 
happy,  and  highly  animated  with  the  expectation  of  time's 
closing  in  the  following  February.  It  was  a  time  of  unu- 
sual excitement,  and  many  supposed  it  a  time  of  revelation 
and  visions  shewing  the  Lord's  sure  coming.  I  saw  much 
good,  and  much  which  caused  me  to  look  forward  with 
sorrow.  I  beheved  that  when  four  months  had  passed 
away,  they  would  realize  their  mistake,  but  they  could  not 
think  so.  I  found  the  church  not  so  much  excited,  and 
more  candid. 

28th,  attended  a  protracted  meeting  that  brother  Dick- 
son was  holding  at  the  Centre  chapel.  It  was  a  very 
exciting  time,  and  many  were  shouting  for  four  short 
months^  and  they  should  see  the  Lord  descend  to  take  the 
saints  home.  I  preached  in  the  afternoon,  and  spoke 
cautiously.  31st,  I  preached  at  Tuftonborough,  where 
they  had  had  an  advent  meeting.  I  endeavored  to  help 
the  weak  and  afflicted,  who  were  considered  by  the  more 
joyful  ones  to  be  backslidden. 

'•  Blind  unbelief  is  sure  to  err, 

And  r^can  God's  word  in  vain  ; 
God  is  his  own  interpreter, 

And  He  will  make  it  plain." 

November  1st,  I  visited  Moultonborough.  On  the  2d, 
preached  at  the  burial  of  a  sister,  but  gave  great  offence 
by  saying  Christ  rejoiced   only  once,  to  my  knowledge, 


328  LIFE   OF   ELDER  MARK   FERNALD. 

while  on  earth,  and  that  was  in  the  language  of  ray  text. 
The  hapijy  ones  could  not  endure  to  have  the  weak  helped. 
On  the  3d,  I  reached  home,  and  on  the  7th,  went  to  Exe- 
ter, to  attend  to  business  of  the  Eastern  Christian  Publish- 
ing Association.  From  the  10th  to  the  12th,  attended  a 
protracted  meeting  at  New  Castle  with  Elder  J.  Boothby 
and  D.  Wiggin,  junior,  crossing  and  re-crossing  the  river 
daily.  On  the  loth,  we  commenced  a  series  of  meetings 
at  Kittery,  having  the  assistance,  a  part  of  the  time,  of 
Elders  E.  Shaw,  S.  Swett,  and  D.  P.  Pike,  which  was 
productive  of  good.  On  the  17th,  which  was  our  state 
Thanksgiving,  I  baptized  three.  A  blessing  attended,  to 
the  praise  of  the  Lord. 

In  December,  we  had  some  reviving,  and  some  trials. 
I  preached  in  Kittery  and  EUiot,  and  attended  a  protracted 
meeting  at  York.  A  reformation  was  in  progress  at  Elliot 
Neck.  As  the  year  closed,  I  had,  as  usual,  many  reflec- 
tions upon  the  past  and  about  the  future.  I  had  heard, 
read,  studied,  and  prayed  much  upon  the  subject  of  the 
end  of  time  in  1843,  and  Christ's  creating  a  new  earth,  or 
purifying  this,  but  I  never  could,  for  one  hour,  believe  the 
world  would  end  so  soon,  yet  firmly  believing  that  Christ 
would  come  again  personally,  and  not  knowing  when  that 
period  would  arrive,  I  was  anxious  to  do  right,  and  not 
prevent  good. 

In  reviewing  the  past  year,  I  felt  a  sorrow  that  I  had 
been  no  more  profitable.  I  felt  a  welcome  for  the  new 
year,  and  looked  forward  for  the  truth  of  what  I  believed, 
or  what  those  believed  who  said  the  Lord  would  come  in 
1843.  I  knew  that  both  could  not  be  right,  though  both 
might  be  wrong  in  some  respects. 


LIFE    OF   ELDER  MARK    FERNALD.  329 

I  believed  ''  the  Lord  himself  shall  descend  from  hea- 
ven with  a  shout,  with  the  voice  of  the  arch-angel,  and 
with  the  trump  of  God,"  but  I  did  not  believe  it  would  be 
in  1843. 

1843,  January  1st,  I  welcomed,  and  felt  a  desire,  and 
raised  mj  prayer  that  I  might  do  more  for  the  cause  of 
God,  and  on  that  day  preached  thrice.  I  attended  meet- 
ing nearly  every  day  or  evening  during  the  month. 
There  was  quite  a  revival  at  New  Castle.  I  preached 
there  on  the  24th,  and  Elder  Boothby  baptized  three. 
On  the  26th,  met  with  Elder  Howe,  at  Portsmouth,  who 
was  holding  a  series  of  meetings.  At  the  close  of  the 
month  the  prospect  of  a  revival  brightened,  and  some  came 
forward  for  prayers. 

I  had  been  very  much  exposed,  and  having  a  meeting 
about  every  evening,  I  was  late  at  home  and  did  not  get 
my  rest.  On  the  8th,  I  was  taken  sick,  and  was  confined 
with  the  rheumatism  for  some  days.  February  12th,  was 
the  first  day  of  the  week,  but  I  was  unable  to  attend 
meeting.  I  had  repeatedly  told  the  people  I  could  not 
stand  so  much  fatigue,  but  they  wanted  meetings  weekly 
in  every  section  of  the  town,  for  their  accommodation, 
which  of  course  took  all  of  my  time.  On  the  18th,  at- 
tended meeting.  On  the  24th,  visited  for  several  miles, 
and  had  a  meeting  at  the  school  house  in  Crooked  Lane  dis- 
trict, where  there  was  some  revival.  There  was  attention 
to  the  subject  of  religion  in  different  parts  of  the  town 
among  the  unconverted,  but  the  church  did  not  come  up 
to  the  work  as  they  ought,  hence  more  labor  for  me. 

The  first  of  March  was  extremely  cold,  and  the  roads 

filled  with  snow.     On  the  4th,  I  preached  at  the  burial  of 

28* 


830  LIFE   OF   ELDER  MARK   FERNALD. 

Mrs.  Lettice  Phillips,  who  was  eightj-nine  years  of  age, 
and  was  one  of  the  fourteen  who  united  in  church  relation 
in  eighteen  hundred  and  six.  She  lived  well  and  died 
accoidingly.  9th,  in  company  with  two  Congregational 
preachers,  attended  the  burial  of  another  aged  Christian, 
Mrs.  Mary  Dennett,  aged  ninety-one  years.  She  had  been 
a  beUever  in  Jesus  about  forty-five  years.  16th,  attended 
the  burial  of  a  young  man  who  had  sought  the  Lord  and 
died  resigned.  The  religion  of  the  blessed  Jesus  was  just 
what  the  aged  pilgrims  needed,  and  just  what  the  blooming 
youth  needed  also.     0  that  men  would  be  wise  in  time. 

I  had  some  exchanges  with  brother  Boothby,  who  was 
tlien  laboring  at  New  Castle.  Some  were  seeking  the 
Lord,  and  I  labored  constantly  during  the  month.  On 
the  25th,  at  a  quarterly  conference,  Joel  Wilson,  one  of 
the  young  members  of  the  church,  was  approbated  and 
encouraged  to  labor  publicly. 

During  the  month  of  April,  there  were  several  deaths 
in  town.  I  labored  in  the  different  neighborhoods.  As  a 
village  had  sprung  up  in  the  southwest  part  of  the  town, 
adjoining  the  Navy  Yard,  our  brethren  who  had  for  some 
years  worshiped  in  the  north  meeting  house,  with  others, 
thought  it  would  be  for  their  interest  and  the  advancement 
of  the  cause  of  God,  to  remove  their  meeting  to  the  new 
village  called  Foreside,  or  Cranesville,  and  build  a  new 
liouse  of  worship,  as  they  needed  a  new  one.  The  new 
chapel  being  about  completed,  I  interceded  in  connection 
with  others,  to  secure  the  labors  of  brother  George  Moore 
Payne.  And  as,  when  the  house  was  opened  and  the 
meeting  established,  a  church  was  to  be  organized,  and  as 
the  field  would  be  a  very  important  one,  and  a  number  of 


LIFE    OF   ELDER  MARK   FERNALD.  331 

the  members,  those  who  had  been  under  my  care, I  wanted 
them  to  have  a  pastor  that  I  knew. 

On  the  4th  of  May,  the  second  Christian  chapel,  loca- 
ted at  the  Foreside  Village,  was  dedicated  to  the  worship  of 
God  and  his  Son.  I  prayed  and  brother  Payne  preached. 
Seven  preachers  and  a  host  of  people  attended.  On 
the  7th,  which  was  Lord's  day,  I  preached  at  the  new 
chapel.  We  had  good  attendance  and  much  feehng, 
while  several  publicly  improved.  On  the  20th,  we  held 
a  church  meeting  to  attend  to  the  request  of  such  of  those 
residing  in  the  vicinity  of  the  new  place  of  worship,  as 
wished  to  unite  in  a  second  church  when  it  should  be  or- 
ganized. On  the  25th,  met  at  the  second  chapel,  and 
organized  a  church  of  twenty-four  members,  sixteen  of 
whom  were  from  the  first  church,  five  from  the  Christian 
church  in  Portsmouth,  and  three  others.  Samuel  Badger 
was  chosen  clerk.  Joseph  Graves  and  Mark  Dennett  were 
chosen  deacons,  and  George  Moore  Payne,  pastor.  It 
was  a  harmonious  season,  and  we  felt  to  thank  God  and 
take  courage.  28th,  exchanged  with  brother  George  W. 
Eilton,  Pleasant  street  church,  Portsmouth.  29th,  at- 
tended a  prayer  meeting  for  sailors.  We  had  for  a  long 
time  held  monthly  prayer  meetings  for  sea-faring  men. 

June  1st  to  13th,  I  preached  and  visited  in  Kittery 
and  ElHot.  14th,  to  Dover,  New  Hampshire,  where  the 
New  Hampshire  conference  held  its  session  at  Deacon 
Jenness's  vestry.  The  conference  was  not  so  well  attended 
as  usual,  as  several  preachers  were  engaged  in  the  world's 
ending  that  year,  and  absented  themselves.  Our  business 
was  done  harmoniously.  Our  public  meetings  were  held 
with  the  Baptist  friends,  who  kindly  favored  us  with  the 


332  LIFE   OF   ELDER  MARK   FERNALD. 

use  of  their  meeting  bouse.  Their  preacher  met  with  us. 
On  the  17th,  I  went  to  Wolfborough.  19th,  attended  at 
the  burial  of  the  Friends'  minister's  wife.  The  husband 
was  the  speaker,  and  talked  about  two  hours  and  three 
quarters.  Much  was  spoken  well.  Several  preachers 
were  present,  but  none  took  any  part  in  the  services. 

I  found  the  excitement  in  those  towns  had  died,  and  a 
dull  season  followed.  I  labored  with  others  to  bring  about 
a  better  state  of  feehng,  and  effect  a  union  among  those 
who  had  become  disaffected  toward  one  another  relative  to 
the  end  of  time.  On  the  27th,  I  preached  ;  and  feeling 
worn  down  with  labor,  I  closed  mj  visit  and  rode  to  New 
Durham  Gore,  and  stopped  at  brother  Wilham  Home's. 
I  proceeded  to  Kittery  on  the  28th. 

July  1st,  2d,  and  3d,  held  meetings,  and  on  the  4th, 
celebrated  Independence  with  about  one  hundred  and 
twenty  Sabbath  school  children,  beside  adults,  at  our 
chapel.  Two  other  preachers  met  with  us.  The  children 
were  served  with  cakes,  fruit,  &c.  It  was  a  day  well 
spent,  and  the  children  were  highly  gratified.  I  labored 
as  I  was  accustomed  among  the  people  through  the  month. 
I  preached  a  few  times  out  of  town.  23d,  Elder  Moses 
Howe,  from  New  Bedford,  Massachusetts,  visited  us,  and 
preached  to  us  the  word  of  life.  My  wife  was  severely  ill 
for  some  weeks. 

In  August,  the  world  was  employing  too  much  of  the 
time  of  professors  of  religion.  I  preached  in  different 
neighborhoods.  As  brother  Payne  had  commenced  his 
labors  in  the  west  part  of  the  town,  I  felt  some  relieved. 
On  the  22d,  I  had  a  very  uneasy,  trying  day,  and  could 
not  account  for  it ;  but  afterward  found  that  a   Mormon 


LIFE    OF   ELDER   MARK    FERNALD.  333 

advocate  arrivod  in  town  that  day  to  Mjrmonize-  our  peo- 
ple. He  had  but  httle  encouragement,  and  after  some 
days,  left,  loudly  exclaiming  against  the  priests  for  hinder- 
ing the  people  from  attending  his  meeting.  On  the  27th, 
I  attended  the  burial  of  Colonel  Paul  Lewis,  aged  seventy- 
three  years.  He  had  been  a  sea-faring  man  from  his 
youth.  I  frequently  sailed  with  him  in  my  youth,  and 
encountered  many  dangerous  scenes.  Thus  another  month 
passed  away.  •  I  did  not  see  all  accomplished  I  wished, 
yet  felt  a  satisfaction  in  trying  to  do  my  duty. 

Having  received  an  invitation  to  attend  a  camp  meeting 
to  be  holden  by  the  Christians  at  Taunton,  Massachusetts, 
commencing  September  4th,  and  a  promise  that  my  expen- 
ses should  be  paid,  I  started  for  the  ground  on  that  day, 
and  arrived  at  the  spot  at  6  o'clock  in  the  afternoon. 
Only  a  few  had  arrived,  but  we  held  services  in  the  evening. 
5th,  Elders  Lincoln,  Howe,  and  H.  Burnham  preached. 
We  held  tent  meetings  and  prayer  meetings  at  all  con- 
venient times.  6th,  Elder  J.  C.  Blodgett  preached  in  the 
forenoon  and  I  spoke  in  the  afternoon.  At  evening,  I 
went  to  Assonett  Village  and  preached.  I  labored  to  pre- 
vent the  dividing  of  the  church,  as  the  '43  notion  was  all 
some  wished  to  hear.  I  knew  not  wdiat  to  make  of  such 
happiness  as  some  manifested.  7th,  at  evening,  I  preached 
at  New  Bedford,  where  I  had  not  been  for  twenty  years, 
8th,  returned  to  the  camp  meeting  before  8  o'clock.  The 
interest  of  the  meetings  increased.  A  colored  man  from 
Philadelphia,  and  Elder  Benjamin  Taylor,  preached.  At 
evening  I  preached  again  at  New  Bedford.  9th,  returned 
at  an  early  hour,  and  found  several  seeking  the  Lord.  I 
preached  from  2  Kings  xvii :  33,  34,  and  had  a  free  season. 


334  LIFE    OF   ELDER   MARK    FERNALD. 

Mj  health  forbade  my  staying  on  the  camp  ground,  so  I 
retired  to  Assonett.  10th,  returned,  and  a  notice  having 
been  given  that  I  would  be  on  the  camp  ground  on  the 
Babbath,  many  in  the  region  who  wished  to  see  and  hear 
an  old  friend,  came  together.  Thousands  were  on  the 
ground  to  whom  I  preached  freely,  and  at  some  length, 
from  Hebrew  vii :  25,  26.  Many  heard  for  the  first  and 
last  tine.  In  the  afternoon.  Elder  B.  Taylor  preached  in 
behalf  of  sailors,  and  took  a  collection  amounting  to  thirty 
dollars,  to  help  forward  the  Bethel  at  Providence,  Rhode 
Island.  At  evening  I  preached  again  at  New  Bedford. 
Some  left,  many  were  revived,  and  some  wept.  I  found 
a  spirit  of  Come-outism  in  the  churches.  11th,  I  preached 
again  on  the  camp  ground.  At  4  o'clock  I  took  the  cars 
and  proceeded  to  Salem.  12th,  reached  Newburyport,  and 
preached  in  the  evening  to  many  attentive  hearers.  On 
the  13th,  Elder  D.  P.  Pike  took  me  to  Salisbury  Point, 
where  the  Rockingham  conference  and  N.  H.  Christian 
Benevolent  Society  met  for  annual  meeting.  A  large 
number  of  preachers  met ;  several  came  from  the  East. 
Our  business  was  done  in  harmony,  as  those  whose  minds 
were  drawn  from  us  did  not  attend. 

After  attending  several  meetings,  on  the  14th  I  took 
passage  with  Elder  Payne  to  Kittery.  At  Portsmouth  I 
misplaced  my  watch  and  dropped  it  in  the  street.  It  was 
soon  found  by  a  man,  and  advertised  two  days  after,  but 
he  left  town  and  I  did  not  get  it,  or  learn  where  he 
belonged.  He  was  seen  to  pick  up  a  watch  in  the  place 
where  I  got  out  of  the  chaise,  or  probably  he  would  not 
have  advertised  it.  I  advertised  the  watch  and  man  and 
let  them  go.     I  reached  home  at  evening,  glad  and  thank- 


LIFE   OF   ELDER   MARK   FERNALD.  335 

ful  to  the  Lord,  mj  protector,  who  had  blessed  me  and 
my  labors.  I  felt  grieved  to  see  the  carelessness  of  sin- 
ners and  slothfulness  of  professors.  22d,  received  a  visit 
from  brother  Joseph  Merrill  and  wife.  He  had  long  labored 
in  the  Kennebec  country  usefully,  and  had  lived  to  see 
many  churches  gathered  and  many  ministers  raised  up  to 
help  him.  On  the  24th,  which  was  the  first  day  of  the 
week,  we  had  a  refreshing  season,  which  was  somewhat 
reviving  to  our  drooping  spirits.  These  reviving  seasons 
keep  the  church  together,  or  God  designs  them  as  the 
means.  On  that  day,  we  attended  the  burial  of  an  aged 
mother  of  the  church,  and  our  reflections  on  the  hfe  of  the 
godly  and  death  of  the  righteous,  stimulated  us  to  activity. 
On  the  28th,  I  had  a  meeting  at  Spruce  Creek;  but  it 
was  a  small  gathering. 

October  4th,  went  to  Elliot  Neck,  to  hold  a  meeting  of 
several  days.  Our  meetings  were  good  ;  the  attendance 
small  by  day,  but  at  evenings  crowds  came  out.  13th, 
preached  at  the  burial  of  the  widow  of  the  late  Colonel 
Paul  Lewis,  who  had  so  soon  followed  her  husband.  24th, 
to  Ogunquit,  and  preached ;  and  25th,  to  Kennebunk  to 
attend  a  convention  of  preachers  and  churches,  held  for 
the  purpose  of  considering  the  expediency  of  forming  a 
new  conference,  or  a  conference  in  the  south  and  west  of 
Maine.  We  held  several  good  meetings,  and  adjourned 
to  January  2d.  I  returned  home,  and  on  the  30th,  at  a 
Bethel  prayer  meeting,  got  up  a  subscription  to  aid  in 
building  a  Bethel,  at  Portland,  Maine. 

Knowing  the  wants  of  seamen,  I  felt  it  my  duty  to  do 
all  in  my  power  to  aid  them,  and  especially  to  favor  them 
with  the  gospel. 


836  LIFE    OF   ELDER   MARK    FERNALD. 

'•Would  you  beholtl  llie  vvoiks  of  Godj 
Hi^  vvoiulers  in  ihe  woild  abioati  1 
Go  vviih  the  iDaiiiier,  and  liace 
Ihe  unkiiowu  lesiiutis  oi  ihe  seas." 

On  the  31st,  I  went  to  Milton,  New  Hampshire,  design- 
ing to  continue  a  journey  north. 

November  1st,  I  went  to  Wolf  borough,  and  preached  at 
the  southeast  of  the  town ;  had  a  good,  interestnig  season. 
3d,  I  went  to  Tuftonborough.  4th,  had  a  monthly  con- 
ference, which  was  well  attended,  though  the  church  was 
in  a  low,  scattered  state.  The  church  held  three  separate 
meetings  on  the  first  day  of  the  week,  being  much  divided 
about  the  world's  ending  in  1843.  However,  they  agreed 
to  commemorate  the  Lord's  death  the  next  daj^,  and  on  the 
6th,  a  large  assembly  met,  to  whom  I  preached  and  broke 
bread.  On  the  7th,  to  Dover,  and  attended  a  prayer 
meeting. 

Returned  home,  and  remained  a  few  days.  On  the 
14th,  brethren  Daniel  Wiggin,  junior,  George  Moore  Payne, 
and  myself,  met  at  Portsmouth,  at  one  o'clock,  to  aid  if 
possible  the  Chestnut  street  church,  in  their  divided  state. 

The  church  at  Greenland  was  small,  but  humble,  and 
called  for  aid  ;  and  on  the  15th,  we  went  to  their  help, 
and  held  a  meeting  of  three  days.  It  being  rainy,  the 
meetings  were  small,  but  good.  Returned  home,  and  on 
the  18th,  learned  that  Mrs.  Olive  Hammond  and  two 
daughters,  of  Elliot,  were  dead.  I  had  visited  and  prayed 
with  them  but  ten  days  before.  How  uncertain  is  life! 
On  the  evening  of  the  24th,  when  returning  from  visiting 
the  sick,  over  a  bad  road,  I  broke  my  gig.  This  was  the 
first  accident  of  the  kind  done  by  niglit  for  thirty-five 
years,  travehng  in  all  dangers.     27th,  we  had  an  interest- 


LIFE   OP   ELDER   MARK    FERNALD.  337 

ing  Bethel  prayer  meeting,  and  contributed  to  aid  the 
friends  at  Portland,  in  ^ettin^;  a  Bethel  for  seamen.  We 
also  formed  a  Tract  society  for  our  town,  to  have  monthly 
distributions. 

December  1st,  confined  at  home  unwell.  2d,  had  a 
visit  from  an  aged,  long  tried  fellow  laborer,  Benjamin 
Taylor,  preacher  at  the  Seamen's  Bethel,  Providence,  R. 
I.  He  preached  twice  well,  and  we  gave  him  a  contribu- 
tion to  aid  in  freeing  his  chapel  from  debt.  On  the 
4th,  attended  the  annual  temperance  meeting  for  the 
choice  of  officers,  when  I  tendered  my  resignation  of  the 
office  of  President,  having  held  that  office  for  many 
years.  7th,  being  Thanksgiving  in  Maine,  a  protracted 
meeting  commenced  at  the  Foreside  chapel,  which  I  at- 
tended a  part  of  the  time,  and  which  resulted  in  some 
revival.  15th,  was  sent  for  to  attend  the  burial  of  Elder 
Ebenezer  Leavitt,  of  North  Hampton,  New  Hampshire, 
but  was  too  unwell  to  attend.  Brother  Leavitt  was  one 
of  the  first  ordained  in  the  Christian  Connection,  and  was 
a  worthy,  faithful  man.  He  was  ordained  at  Hampton 
Falls,  New  Hampshire,  July  6th,  eighteen  hundred  and 
eight,  and  died  December  12th,  aged  seventy-three  years. 
On  the  17th,  while  my  wife  and  myself  were  too  unwell  to 
go  out,  we  received  word  that  her  father,  Mr.  John  Ste- 
vens, aged  eighty-five  years,  was  dying.  We  could  not 
go  to  see  him,  but  on  the  20th,  were  able  to  attend  his 
burial  at  our  chapel,  when  a  sermon  was  preached  by 
brother  Payne.  He  had  professed  hope  in  Christ  near 
fifty  years.  On  the  23d,  I  was  hauling  wood  to  save 
hiring,  as  my  ministerial  income   was  insuificient  without 

some  other  means,  to  overcome  want.     We  had  teams  and 
29 


338  LIFE   OF   ELDER   MARE    FERNALD. 

teamsters  enough  in  society,  and  not  very  busy,  but  (it 
might  be)  they  did  not  think,  and  I  would  rather  sweat 
than  invite  thera.  That  was  not  the  first  time  that  I  had 
to  resort  to  other  means  than  my  salary,  for  support,  by 
scores,  perhaps  hundreds.  On  the  25th,  Christmas,  we 
had  two  very  interesting  meetings,  one  of  which  was  for 
sailors.  On  the  31st,  I  preached  thrice  :  the  last  was  an 
appointment  to  prea(jh  on  three  ends — the  end  of  the 
year,  the  end  of  life,  and  the  end  of  time,  from  Lara,  iv  : 
18.  It  was  a  serious  meeting,  although  I  was  hoarse  and 
poorly  able  to  preach. 

The  year  1843  was  a  year  of  great  excitement  and 
interest.  Many  must  look  back  w^ith  wonder  at  the  unpar- 
alleled excitement  about  the  end  of  the  world  in  1843. 
Also  with  interest  at  the  foundation  of  good  laid  at  the 
conventions  held  in  England  for  the  promotion  of  Peace 
and  Temperance.  And  that  noted  year  the  Sandwich 
Islands  were  restored  to  their  own  government. 

I  spent  much  time  during  the  year  in  visiting  the  sick 
and  well.  I  wore  myself  down  by  such  a  constant  draught 
on  my  strength  in  visiting,  as  our  people  were  scattered, 
and  after  all,  would  too  often  say  they  were  not  visited. 
My  numerous  cares  and  labors  employed  all  my  time. 


LIFE   OF   ELDER   MARK    FERNALD.  339 


CHAPTER  XXI. 

NEW  ENGLAND    CONVENTION   AT   LYNN — CONSEQUENCES  OF 
FALSE    EXCITEMENT — NEW     HAMPSHIRE    CONFERENCE — 

DISAPPROBATION     OP     THE      ADVENTISTS PROTRACTED 

MEETING  AT  KITTERY — FIRE  AT  PORTSMOUTH,  NEW  HAMP- 
SHIRE  SHAKER     PIANO NEW    ENGLAND    HOME     AND 

FOREIGN      MISSIONARY     SOCIETY      ORGANIZED GEORGE 

PSIRCE,  JUNIOR,  ORDAINED — CHRISTIAN  ANNIVERSARIES 
AT  BOSTON — WAR  WITH  MEXICO. 

I  commenced  January,  1844,  with  a  strong  desire  to  be 
faithful  to  the  Lord  and  His  cause,  and  to  labor  all  my 
health  would  admit.  I  put  forth  my  efforts  daily,  to  keep 
the  church  alive,  but  it  was  more  than  I  could  effect. 
Several  members  of  the  church  died  in  January. 

On  the  23d,  in  the  afternoon,  I  went  to  my  barn  to  do 
Bome  work,  leaving  my  wife  alone,  and  as  well  as  usual. 
Her  health  at  best  was  poor.  Soon  after  I  went  out, 
she  was  seized  with  paralysis  in  her  left  side,  and  no  one 
came  in  for  two  hours.  I  did  my  best  to  relieve  her,  and 
succeeded  ;  but  0,  the  frailty  of  life.  "  0  that  men  were 
wise  ;  that  they  would  consider  their  latter  end." 

In  February,  I  remained  in  town,  excepting  a  few  hours 
at  a  time,  when  I  went  on  some  business.     On  the  23d, 


840  LIFE   OF   ELDER   MARK    FERNALD. 

met  4;he  old  Chestnut  street  church,  at  Portsmouth,  with 
Elders  Wiggin  and  Pajne,  to  make  a  second  trial  to  help 
them.  We  received  some  encouragement,  as  the  '43 
doctrine  grew  more  dull,  although  some  were  holding  on 
to  "  the  Jewish  year,"  which  thej  said  would  end  March 
21st,  1844.  The  weather  was  extremely  cold,  and  trav- 
eling difficult  much  of  the  time  in  February,  On  the  28th, 
my  daughter  was  taken  sick.  My  wife  was  gradually 
recovering,  but  I  had  to  be  man  and  boy,  master  and 
servant,  in  doors  and  out,  yet  the  Lord  was  my  help.  I 
had  to  disappoint  at  one  of  my  appointments,  but  traveling 
and  sickness  were  a  sufficient  excuse.  A  good  excuse 
every  reasonable  person  will  take,  but  a  poor  excuse  is 
worse  than  none.  I  felt  that  when  a  pastor  is  taken  off 
from  his  labors  in  any  way,  the  church  or  its  helps  should 
keep  up  the  stated  means  of  grace  ;  but  in  almost  if  not  all 
churches  there  are  those  whose  improvement  prevents 
spirituality  because  of  their  imprudence,  though  they  are 
honest.  There  is  no  remedy,  but  to  be  grieved  and  bear  it. 
March  6th,  went  to  Exeter,  and  returned  to  Stratham, 
where  there  was  some  revival.  I  preached  and  some  re- 
joiced. I  retired  to  brother  Piper's,  and  tarried  all  night, 
being  much  fatigued.  On  the  9  th,  the  sixtieth  year  of  my 
too  unprofitable,  but  not  idle  life,  closed.  I  mourned  over 
self,  but  hoped  in  the  Lord's  mercy.  I  concluded  I  should 
get  through  life  soon,  but  how  should  I  answer  for  the 
many  mercies  to  me,  and  so  poor  a  use  of  my  time  and 
talents.  Had  some  good  reviving  meetings.  The  health 
of  my  wife  was  so  far  improved  that  I  was  able  again  to 
go  into  my  old  course  of  labor,  having  some  good  seasons, 
and  laboring  to  keep  up  the  interest.     A  great  reform  was 


LIFE   OF   ELDER  MARK    FERNALD.  341 

going  on  in  the  temperance  cause,  and  I  had  good  access 
to  the  people,  but  iniquity  still  abounded. 

On  the  31st,  I  preached  at  the  West  chapel.  The 
meeting  was  full,  and  I  had  good  freedom. 

April  1st,  I  attended  the  burial  of  Thomas  Kean,  at  the 
west  of  the  town.  He  died  a  Christian.  Had  a  visit 
from  Elder  Boothbj,  who  united  his  labors  with  mine,  and, 
I  trust,  successfully.  Confined  my  labors  to  Kittery  dur- 
ing the  month. 

May  3d,  I  went  to  Ogunquit  to  visit  the  sick.     I  re- 
mained  and   had    a  few  meetings,  and   on   the  Sabbath 
exchanged  with   brother  White.     I  visited  North  Village, 
but  was  unable  to  meet  my  appointment  by  reason  of  my 
health.     I   returned  home,  and  on  the  13th,  went  with 
Elder  Boothby  to  Lynn,  Massachusetts,  to  attend  the  New 
England  Convention  of  ministers  of  the  Christian  Connec- 
tion, which  were  invited  there  by  the  church  and  Elder 
Warren  Lincoln,  their  pastor.     They  chose  me  President, 
and  I  had  rather  an  uneasy  offiee,  for  on  many  subjects 
discussed  there  was  too  much  zeal  and  temper  shown,  and 
severe  resolves  passed.     The   churches   and   ministry  in 
Massachusetts  had   suffered  so  much  from  a  disorganizing 
spirit,  that  it  was  resolved,  if  possible,  to  put  it  down.     On 
the  evening  of  the   14th,  by  request,  I  preached  on  the 
ministry.     On   the    afternoon  of  the   15th,  two  lectures 
were  given  on  anti-slavery.     In  the  evening,  J.  S.  Thomp- 
son preached.     On  the  evening  of  the  16th,  I  preached  on 
church  affairs.     The  Convention  closed  in  harmony,  and 
with  the  hope  of  good  results.     Returned  to  Kittery,  and 
OR  the  23d,  started  on  a  tour  to  New  Hampshire,     1  found 
at  Wolfborough  several  who  were  striving  to  serve  the 
29* 


342  LIFE   OP   ELDER  MARK    FERNALD. 

Lord.  They  said  but  little  about  their  disappointments. 
On  the  afternoon  of  the  26th,  I  preached  at  Tuftonbor- 
ough  to  a  large  congregation,  who  gave  good  attention.  I 
gave  them  a  searching  discourse,  which  gladdened  many 
hearts.  I  made  a  request  for  all  the  church,  and  all  those 
who  were  in  the  church  when  I  was  with  them  before,  to 
meet  on  the  29th,  that  I  might  pray  and  talk  with  them, 
as  twenty-seven  had  had  their  names  shamefully  blotted 
out  of  the  book  of  records,  and  many  of  them  under  the 
vain  idea  that  all  churches  were  the  "  Babylon"  of  Reve- 
lation, 17th  and  18th  chapters. 

In  that  section  of  the  town  where  the  camp  meeting 
was  holden  and  extra  excitement  raised,  I  had  a  good 
season  in  preaching,  but  was  constrained  to  talk  plainly  to 
several  who  had  loved  me  as  a  father  in  the  gospel,  but 
now  were  deceived  by  man,  and  blinded  about  the  right 
way.  On  the  29th,  according  to  appointment,  a  large 
part  of  the  church,  and  many  of  those  who  had  left,  met. 
I  talked  and  explained  scripture  ;  heard  the  reason  those 
gave  who  had  left  the  church,  for  their  leaving,  and  found 
several  who  were  disposed  to  return,  having  acted  in  haste  ; 
others  were  strong  of  the  opinion  that  all  Protestant 
churches  were  as  much  "  Babylon"  as  the  Roman  Catholic 
church,  and  to  leave  all  churches  was  the  only  way  to 
escape  the  destruction  of  Babylon,  when  the  Lord  should 
come.  I  endeavored  to  show  them  theirfalse  and  ignorant 
understanding  of  the  Scriptures. 

The  clerk  had  injured  the  church  records  by  entirely 
blotting  out  names  and  dates,  by  blots  of  nearly  quarter  of 
an  inch  wide  and  full  length,  and  would  not  see  the  wrong 
of  so  doing.     The  excitement  to  that  act  was  raised  by 


LIFE   OF   ELDER   MARK    FERNALD.  343 

two  joung  men  :  Ichabod  Hazen,  of  Sutton,  New  Hamp- 
shire, and  Daniel  Trickej,  of  Portsmouth,  New  Hampshire, 
who  hurried  them  to  leave  the  church,  or  they  would  be 
destroyed  with  Babylon  at  the  Lord's  coming. 

Some  were  actually  frightened.  I  considered  it  as  the 
Devil's  meanest  effort  to  degrade  the  Almighty  and  the 
Lord  Jesus,  by  accusing  them  with  the  design  of  sending 
all  the  saints  to  destruction,  throughout  the  whole  world, 
who  had  honestly  united  with  a  church  for  their  good  and 
edification.  They  taught  that  all  who  did  not  have  their 
names  erased,  must,  at  Christ's  coming,  be  destroyed. 
The  least,  last,  and  meanest  thing  for  which  a  person  is  to 
be  lost  forever,  is  to  have  their  name  on  a  piece  of  paper. 
Horrid  ignorance  !    Insult  of  Heaven  !   A  lie  of  the  Devil. 

On  the  30th,  I  preached  in  Wolfborough.  Several 
spoke  well.  On  the  31st,  it  being  rainy,  I  tarried  with 
Elder  B.  Dickson,  and  having  the  records  of  the  church 
at  Tuftonborough,  we  tried  our  skill  in  cleansing  and  re- 
storing the  defaced  pages  and  names,  and  properly  record- 
ing their  abrupt  departure. 

June  1st,  returned  to  Tuftonborough,  and  at  a  church 
meetmg  received  two  men  as  members,  and  one  woman 
who  had  left,  but  returned ;  and  chose  a  clerk  and  two 
helps  in  the  church.  The  church  appeared  to  be  deter- 
mined to  hve  and  overcome  delusion.  On  the  2d,  the 
chapel  was  filled  with  attentive  hearers  from  several  towns, 
to  whom  I  preached  plainly  in  vindication  of  scripture 
doctrine,  and  against  disorder.  At  five  o'clock  in  the 
afternoon,  I  preached  at  the  northwest  district,  and  took 
my  leave.      I  proceeded  to  Meredith  and   Sanbornton. 


344  LIFE    OF   ELDER  MARK  FERNALD. 

Thence  to  Franklin  on  the  4th.     Visited  old  friends,  and 
preached  in  the  evening  at  Frankhn  Village. 

On  the  5th,  the  New  Hampshire  conference  met  at 
Franklin.  The  conference  was  not  so  harmonious  or  in- 
teresting as  we  wished.  Some  business  was  done.  On 
the  afternoon  of  the  6th,  I  preached,  and  then  rode  to 
Boscawen,  in  company  with  others.  7th,  I  went  to  Con- 
cord, did  some  business,  and  then  returned  home. 

I  labored  in  Kittery,  in  my  accustomed  manner,  to  the 
close  of  June,  but  it  was  a  low  time  in  religion. 

July  4th,  attended  a  temperance  meeting.  13th,  took 
my  wife  on  a  tour  for  her  health.  Went  to  Stratham,  to 
my  aged  brother  N.  Piper's,  where  we  were  entertained 
kindly  and  comfortably.  14th,  to  Exeter,  where  I  preached, 
and  at  five  o'clock,  in  connection  with  three  other  preach- 
ers, organized  a  second  church.  The  cause  of  that  pro- 
cedure was  traced  to  the  influence  of  the  doctrine  of  1843 
being  the  end  of  the  world,  which  notion  prevailed  much 
in  the  first  church.  The  wrong  spirit  indulged  by  lectur- 
ers, and  some  of  the  church,  was  more  than  several  could 
bear. 

On  the  15th,  returned  home.  19th,  visited  Exeter 
again,  and  20th,  to  Haverhill,  Massachusetts,  where  I 
preached  on  the  21st.  Elder  H.  Plummer  and  a  part  of 
the  church  had  left  their  regular  meeting,  and  built  a 
temporary  house,  called  Tabernacle.  The  church  then 
had  the  labors  of  Elder  Edwin  Burnham.  22d,  to  New- 
ton, New  Hampshire,  one  of  my  old  fields  of  labor,  and 
preached  at  evening.  That  church  was  united,  and  trying 
to  live.  I  returned  to  Kittery  on  the  23d,  and  remained 
to  the  end  of  the  month. 


LIFE    OP   ELDER   MARK   FERNALD.  345 

In  August  but  little  interest  was  manifested  among  us 
upon  the  subject  of  religion.  The  world  filled  the  minds 
of  professors  too  much.  Preaching,  admonition,  and  warn- 
ings, had  Httle  effect  to  arouse  Christians. 

On  the  22d,  I  labored  at  home  for  the  accommodation 
of  mjself  and  familj,  while  many  hundreds  or  thousaads, 
from  far  and  near,  of  all  classes,  met  at  the  north  of  the 
town  for  a  political  pic-nic.  How  sorrowful  that  many 
professors  of  Christianity  can  go  to  such  meetings,  but  do 
not  go  to  prayer  meeting. 

September  11th,  attended  the  Rockingham  conference, 
and  annual  meeting  of  the  New  Hampshire  Christian 
Benevolent  Society,  at  Portsmouth,  New  Hampshire. 
Our  business  was  done  harmoniously. 

As  pastor  of  the  church  at  Tuftonborough,  I  was  sent 
for  to  visit  them,  and  on  the  16th,  started  for  that  place. 
By  invitation,  I  attended  the  Free-will  Baptist  quarterly 
meeting,  and  being  strongly  urged,  I  preached,  and  had 
good  freedom. 

At  Tuftonborough,  six  members  were  dismissed,  two  of 
whom  had  removed  and  four  drawn  off  by  Adventism,  and 
not  by  the  Lord  Jesus.  I  labored  seriously  with  the 
church,  and  some  confessed  their  wanderings.  Such  was 
the  excitement  revived  about  the  world's  ending,  that  some 
would  not  mow  their  grass,  but  left  their  fields  of  grain  to 
perish,  calling  it  the  Levitical  Jubilee ;  but  their  friends 
cut  and  housed  the  most  of  it,  while  some  said  they  would 
not  eat  any  thing  that  grew  after  1843.  Some  supposed 
the  day  of  Judgment  had  come,  so  far  that  they,  as  saints, 
were  judging  the  world,  and  sentencing  their  opponents. 
Horrid  nonsense  and  fanaticism. 


346  LIFE   OP   ELDER  MARK  PERNALD. 

On  the  20th,  the  Strafford  conference  sat  at  Wolfbor- 
ough,  and  I  attended  it.  In  the  afternoon  I  preached  at 
the  burial  of  J.  Home's  wife.  I  attended  the  general 
meeting  in  connection  with  the  conference,  and  on  the  22d, 
which  was  the  first  day  of  the  week,  in  the  forenoon  I 
poured  out  my  heart  and  mind  freely  in  a  long  discourse, 
to  a  house  filled  with  solemn,  weeping  hearers,  and  believe 
good  was  done.  In  the  afternoon  I  went  to  Tuftonborough, 
and  at  2  o'clock  met  another  house  filled,  where  I  had 
equal  liberty,  and  talked  or  preached  freely  of  the  evils 
existing,  and  our  duty  at  that  trying  time.  After  having 
a  few  more  meetings,  and  discharging  my  duty  in  public, 
and  to  individuals  in  private,  I  left  and  went  to  New  Dur- 
ham Gore.  Returned  with  much  satisfaction  in  review  of 
my  journey,  for  I  had  unexpected  freedom,  and  much 
assistance  in  fully  speaking  my  views  to  many  hundreds, 

In  October,  I  labored  in  Kittery,  and  being  disgusted  at 
the  vaiij  predictions  of  mortals,  I  spoke  out  my  mind 
plainly  to  the  people  on  the  existing  subject,  and  especially 
disapproved  of  the  notion  of  the  world's  ending  on  the 
g2d.  On  the  evening  of  the  22d,  we  commenced  a  pro- 
tracted meeting,  and  Elder  Boothby  preached  from  Mat- 
thew iii:  3,  That  was  the  memorable  day  that  thousands 
expected  the  Lord  would  appear  and  the  world  end, 
Many  left  their  work,  Such  an  excitement  had  never 
been  known  in  New  England,  The  Advent  teachers 
declared  that  beyond  a  doubt  Christ  would  come.  None 
but  personal  witnesses  could  believe  to  what  an  extent  of 
folly  and  enthusiasm  the  Adventists  carried  matters, 
Denunciations  were  intolerable.  Every  Christian,  without 
distinction  of  denominationj  ministers  and  members,  were 


LIFE    OF   ELDER   MARK    FERNALD.  347 

all  judged  to  destruction  if  they  did  not  have  their  names 
erased  from  the  church  books  bj  the  previous  Saturday 
night ;  that  the  sun  would  be  darkened  at  noon-daj  on 
Sunday,  and  the  churches  would  be  howling.  However, 
only  a  very  few  of  our  society  gave  any  credit  to  such 
folly. 

On  the  23d,  brother  Payne  preached   on  the  Kingdom 
of  Christ,  His  coming,  and  the  duty  of  the  gospel  ministry 
until  the  end  come,  to  a  crowded  assembly  of  people,  who 
listened  with  solemn  and  mvful  stillness.     On  the  24th, 
brother  Wiggin  preached  from  2d   Timothy  iv :  2,  in  the 
forenoon,  and  in  the  afternoon  brother  Knowlton  preached 
from  John  x:  10.     In  the  evening  brother  Pike  preached 
from  the  text :  "  My  people  have  committed  two  evils." 
25th,  brother  W.  H.  Nason  preached,  and  in  the  afternoon 
brother  I.  Haley  from  Philippians  iii :  14,  15.     The  meet- 
ings were  very  encouraging,  and  we  had  great  attendance. 
Several   of  the  preachers  only  stopped  a  day.     Brother 
Boothby  helped   us  through,  and  visited  us  again  the  next 
week.     As  the  preachers  who  attended  were  regarded  as 
the  opponents  to  the  Advent  doctrine,  as  taught  by  those 
who  claimed  to  be  Adventists,  it  was  expected  they  would 
give  the  reason  of  their  opinion,  which  they  did,  I  think, 
to  the  satisfaction  of  the  people. 

In  November  our  meetings  continued  good.  On  the 
11th,  purchased  a  lot  of  land  adjoining  the  chapel  lot,  for 
a  grave  yard,  and  commenced  preparing  it  for  use.  I 
was  determined  not  to  have  all  my  friends,  and  myself  too, 
laid  in  the  village  field,  as  is  the  custom  of  the  place. 
12th,  to  Exeter ;  thence  to  Rye,  to  a  protracted  meeting. 
Returned  home,  and  on  the  18th,  met  the  other  preachers 


348  LIFE    OF   ELDER   MARK    FERNALD. 

in  town  for  mutual  consultation.  That  meeting  was  sug- 
gested by  brother  Cummings,  the  Methodist  preacher  then 
in  Kittery.  The  meeting  was  good,  and  afterwards  held 
periodically  by  the  preachers,  and  served  to  unite  us 
together  as  Christians  ought  to  be.  24th,  had  a  visit  from 
Elder  Daniel  Call. 

On  the  night  of  December  3d,  I  was  unusually  harrassed 
by  dreams.  Dreams  were  for  a  long  time  a  peculiar  warn- 
ing to  me.  On  the  7th,  I  received  tidings  of  the  death  of 
Elder  Jabez  King,  formerly  of  Vermont,  and  on  the  11th, 
my  wife  was  taken  severely  ill,  which  on  the  16th,  became 
very  alarming.  I  had  never  doubted  of  helping  her  until 
then,  but  saw  I  could  do  no  more  than  to  cry  to  God  to 
help  and  revive  her.  She  was  happy,  and  talked  much  to 
all  present,  especially  to  our  daughter,  Elizabeth  Jane. 
It  was  the  most  trying  time  I  had  ever  experienced  about 
parting.  On  the  morning  of  the  17th,  she  consented  that 
I  should  call  in  council  if  I  wished  it  on  my  part,  but  said 
she  had  no  confidence  in  any  one,  if  I  failed.  I  called  on 
Doctor  Cheever,  of  Portsmouth,  New  Hampshire,  and 
Doctor  Eastman,  of  York.  Their  advice  was  good,  but 
differed  nothing  materially  from  what  I  had  done.  To  our 
astonishment  and  joy,  she  suddenly  revived. 

On  the  20th,  I  gave  a  temperance  address  at  the  Fore- 
side  Village,  from  1  Timothy  i:  8-11,  and  got  sixty-four 
signers  to  a  petition  to  the  Legislature  for  a  law  to  stop  the 
drunkard  makers.  On  the  22d,  had  a  visit  from  Elder  J. 
Goodwin,  who  preached.  To  the  close  of  the  month,  I 
was  very  busily  employed  in  my  ministerial,  social,  and 
family  duties. 

1845.     January  1st,  I  was  at  home  with  my  sick  fam- 


LIFE    OF   ELDER   MARK    FERNALD.  349 

ilj,  and  praying  for  grace  to  live  better.  2cl,  attended  a 
burial  at  New  Castle.  To  do  justice,  I  would  not  take  a 
reward.  On  the  5th,  Elder  Simeon  Swett  preached  with 
us.  12th,  exchanged  with  Elder  Kilton,  of  Portsmouth, 
New  Hampshire.  23d,  preached  at  the  second  chapel  in 
Kitterj.  26th,  was  stormj,  and  but  a  few  met ;  but  oh  ! 
the  horrid  indifference  to  religious  duties.  The  same 
weather  and  traveling  on  other  days  than  Sabbath,  will  not 
keep  religious  professors  at  home.  Such  must  answer  to 
their  God  for  their  negligence.  30th,  attended  the  burial 
of  an  only  child  of  Asa  Gunnison.  It  was  a  severe  afflic- 
tion to  the  family. 

The  month  was  a  laborious  season  to  me,  as  I  had  many 
calls  and  many  duties,  aside  from  my  family  duties,  and 
the  traveling  and  weather  were  unfavorable. 

February,  commenced  very  cold,  but  closed  with  a  great 
thaw.  We  had  some  interesting  meetings.  Visited  and 
preached  some  in  York,  and  felt  somewhat  encouraged. 

27th,  attended  the  dedication  of  the  Christian  chapel  at 
New  Castle,  which  had  been  removed  and  remodeled. 
Elders  Boothby,  Kilton,  Coffin,  Nason,  and  Payne,  took 
part  in  the  exercises.  Brother  Boothby  was  then  the 
preacher  to  that  society,  and  prosperity  attended  his  labors. 

"  Ride  on,  all  conquering  king,  ride  on  ; 
Thy  kingiiora  spread,  thy  will  he  done, 

Let  heaven  and  earth  agree 
To  sound  aloud  thy  worthy  fanne, 
Till  all  this  worKl  shall  be  on  flame, 

To  rise  and  reign  with  thee." 

March  1st,  I  attended  the  sick,  and  also  a  conference 

meeting.    2d,  heard  brother  Stephen  Coffin  preach.    10th, 

attended  the  annual   meeting  of  the  society.     The  whole 
30 


350  LIFE   OP   ELDER   MARK    FERNALD. 

amount  of  money  received  from  the  society  in  twelve 
months,  was  one  hundred  and  seven  dollars.  That  was 
more  than  usual  for  a  year.  The  religious  state  of  feeling 
was  at  an  extremely  low  ebb.  On  the  23d,  exchanged 
with  Elder  Payne,  and  preached  very  plainly.  I  attacked 
a  dancing  school,  which  had  drawn  in  professors  of  religion, 
and  also  the  curse  of  rum  selhng  in  the  village. 

April  1st,  was  very  stormy.  I  visited  and  preached, 
but  it  was  lamentable  to  see  the  low,  scattered  state  of 
Zion,  and  how  worldly-minded  professors  had  become. 
Never,  during  thirty-seven  years'  ministry,  had  I  experi- 
enced so  little  access  of  the  Lord's  w^ord,  in  all  societies. 
I  did  all  I  could,  but  it  seemed  useless.  Many  professed 
Christians  would  stay  at  home  on  the  Sabbath,  and  through 
the  week,  apparently  feeling  no  interest  for  the  welfare  of 
God's  Zion  or  the  unconverted.  Frequently  met  with  some 
of  the  other  preachers  in  town,  in  our  different  meetings. 
One  week  I  omitted  meetings  altogether,  and  devoted  my 
time  to  visiting.  27th,  preached  at  New  Castle.  28th, 
attended  a  burial. 

May  2d,  came  near  being  lost  in  the  Piscataqua  river, 
as  I  was  returning  from  Portsmouth  in  a  boat,  being  over- 
taken by  a  sudden  and  heavy  squall,  but  through  the  Lord's 
mercy  we  were  preserved,  for  which  I  felt  grateful.  On 
the  morning  of  the  4th,  a  very  destructive  fire  occurred  at 
Portsmouth,  by  which  one  hundred  and  twenty  thousand 
dollars  worth  of  property  was  destroyed. 

Journeying  in  the  country  had  always  been  an  advan- 
tage to  my  wife  ;  and  she  being  able  to  ride  out,  although 
it  was  with  difficulty  that  she  could  be  got  in  and  out  of  a 
carriage,  I  ventured  to  commence  a  journey  with  her  to 


LIFE   OF  ELDER   MARK    FERNALD.  351 

New  Hampshire.  On  the  22d,  rode  to  Milton,  and  on  the 
23d,  to  Wolfborough;  24th,  to  Tuftonborough.  Wife 
had  to  do  the  most  of  her  visiting  in  the  carriage.  On  the 
25th,  I  preached  twice  to  a  large  congregation  of  atten- 
tive hearers.  I  was  lengthy,  and  spoke  plainly.  The 
people  were  desirous  I  should  remove  mj  family  there  for 
one  year  or  more,  as  the  people  had  been  so  excited  and 
divided,  that  their  confidence  in  ministers  was  much  im- 
paired. 

A  few  of  my  old  brethren  would  not  come  to  hear  me, 
but  nearly  all  who  had  separated  themselves  from  the 
churches  by  the  excitement  of  '43,  heard  me  two  Sab- 
baths, and  at  some  other  meetings.  The  '43  delusion  was 
an  awful  evil  to  Tuftonborough  and  Wolfborough.  I  vis- 
ited extensively,  even  to  Moultonborough.  Several  were 
disposed  to  return  to  the  church.  I  preached  at  Wolf- 
borough with  Elder  Colby  to  many  old  friends.  On  the 
31st,  attended  a  conference  at  Tuftonborough,  and  five  of 
those  who  left  the  church,  returned  humbly  confessing, 
and  were  kindly  received.  Often  have  I  seen  the  im- 
portance of  acting  for  Christ,  more  than  for  father  or 
mother,  sister  or  brother. 

June  1st,  being  the  "  first  day  of  the  week,"  the  chapel 
was  filled  ;  some  were  from  a  distance  of  ten  or  twelve  miles. 
I  preached  twice  and  broke  bread  to  the  church.  It  was  a 
good  day  to  many.  After  much  preaching  I  addressed 
the  whole  upon  their  ideas  of  excitement  and  division  of 
'43.  I  told  them  the  commencement  of  the  excitement 
did  not  make  the  division  that  had  been  made.  Preaching 
repentance,  a  holy  life,  humihty,  brotherly  love,  &c.,  was 
not  what  was  called  "  Millerism."     I  would  oppose  all 


352  LIFE    OF   ELDER   MARK   FERNALD. 

who  called  it  so,  for  it  was  a  doctrine  older  than  Miller's 
great  grandfather  ;  it  was  God's  truth  ;  but  the  awful  evil 
which  caused  the  division,  was  setting  a  time  for  Christ  to 
come,  and  making  that  a  test  of  fellowship,  calling  all 
churches  "  Babylon,"  warning  all  to  come  out  of  them, 
and  asserting  that  the  Spirit  had  done  striving  with  the 
unconverted.  These  things  produced  the  trouble  and 
breach  of  union.  We  had  a  third  meeting  which  was 
interesting,  and  I  urged  them  to  try  to  hve. 

On  the  2(1,  we  went  to  Kochester;  3d,  to  Dover,  and 
4th,  to  Durham,  where  the  New  Hampshire  Conference 
held  its  session.  The  gathering  was  smaller  than  usual, 
but  very  harmonious.  We  revived  and  established  the 
New  England  Christian  Missionary  Society.  I  preached 
at  evening,  and  on  the  5th,  returned  home,  where  I  found 
much  employment  demanding  my  attention.  On  the  9th, 
went  to  Ogunquit,  and  10th,  to  Kennebunk,  Maine ;  at- 
tended the  York  and  Cumberland  conference,  and  preached 
in  the  evening.  11th,  returned  home.  On  the  25th,  I 
went  to  Rochester ;  thence  to  Wolf  borough  and  Tufton- 
borough,  while  brother  Benjamin  Dickson  went  to  Kittery 
to  supply  for  me. 

July  1st,  preached  at  the  burial  of  brother  Henry 
Home,  an  excellent  man.  4th,  met  in  the  County  Anti- 
slavery  convention  held  at  the  Free-Avill  Baptist  chapel, 
Wolfborough.  Elder  Lewis,  a  colored  brother,  gave  a 
very  instructive  discourse.  Remained  a  few  days  in  those 
regions,  and  had  some  good  seasons.  On  the  7th,  preached 
to  many  attentive  hearers,  and  believe  some  good  was  done. 
Returned  home,  and  found  a  church  member  dead,  at 
whose  burial  I  preached  on  the  9th,  the  widow  of  Elder 


LIFE   OF  ELDER  MARK    FERNALD.  353 

Moses  Safford,  aged  sixty-nine  years.  She  had  been  a 
woman  of  much  affliction.  Preached  or  attended  meetings 
almost  daily,  besides  visiting  and  laboring. 

August  1st,  I  attended  another  burial.  24th,  exchanged 
with  Elder  Kilton,  Portsmouth.  I  there  met  with  Elder 
Jason  Smith,  of  New  York,  who  preached  in  the  afternoon. 
At  six  o'clock,  I  preached  at  Kittery  Foreside. 

September  1st,  attended  another  burial.  Surely,  "  we 
do  fade  as  a  leaf."  7th,  exchanged  with  Elder  Boothby, 
at  New  Castle.  10th,  attended  the  Rockingham  confer- 
ence, at  Rye,  New  Hampshire.  The  meetings  in  con- 
nection with  the  Conference  were  not  well  attended  by  the 
people  of  the  town. 

17th,  started  on  a  tour  with  brother  Payne.  At  even- 
ing, he  preached  in  Dover.  18th,  to  Wolf  borough ;  but  a 
lengthy  shower  prevented  a  meeting  in  the  evening,  where 
an  appointment  had  been  made  for  him  to  preach.  19th, 
we  attended  the  Strafiford  conference  at  Tuftonborough. 
Elder  Stephen  P.  Bickford  met  with  us  in  very  trying 
circumstances,  from  a  long  and  distressing  sickness  in  his 
family.  We  had  collected  for  him  about  forty  dollars, 
which  he  joyfully  and  humbly  received.  "  It  was  more 
blessed  to  give  than  receive."  In  the  evening,  we  went 
to  Melvin  Village,  where  brother  Payne  preached.  We 
had  a  serious,  good  meeting.  On  the  20th,  public  meet- 
ings commenced  at  the  chapel.  I  remained  in  that  region 
until  the  29th,  when  I  left  for  home.  I  arrived  on  the 
30th,  wishing  to  be  thankful. 

In  October,  I  was  mostly  in  Kittery,  but  not  idle. 
Some  of  our  meetings  were  good,  and  there  seemed  to  be 
an  increasing  interest,  and  more  attendance  at  meeting. 
30* 


354  LIFE   OF   ELDER  MARK   FERNALD. 

On  the  23d,  I  went  to  Portsmouth,  and  purchased  a 
''  Shaker  piano, ^^  for  mj  daughter  to  play  sheep's  wool 
into  yarn.  24th,  attended  a  day  of  fasting  and  prayer 
with  the  Congregational  church,  which  was  good,  and,  I 
trust,  profitable. 

November  4th,  I  went  to  Lynn,  Massachusetts,  to  at- 
tend a  convention  of  preachers  of  the  "  Christians "  in 
New  England.  Forty-four  were  recorded  as  members. 
We  organized  a  convention,  to  meet  annually,  and  also 
organized  a  Home  and  Foreign  Missionary  Society,  to  take 
the  name  already  given  to  one  in  New  Hampshire,  that 
consenting  to  be  an  auxihary.  The  busitiess  of  the  society 
to  be  attended  at  the  convention  annually.  Much  business 
of  importance  was  done,  and  in  harmony.  Returned 
home  again,  but  not  to  rest,  as  I  was  immediately  called 
on  to  visit  the  sick.  I  was  tried  with  some  people's  im- 
prudence, by  needlessly  getting  sick  and  thereby  making 
trouble  and  expense  for  others.  12th,  some  hundred  and 
fifty  or  two  hundred  met  at  evening,  and  had  a  supper  for 
a  benevolent  purpose,  but  few  could  go  to  a  benevolent 
prayer  meeting.  Attended  my  calhng  as  I  was  accus- 
tomed. 

I  spent  a  part  of  several  days  in  December  in  hauling 
wood  with  my  horse,  for  myself  and  the  needy.  10th,  took 
brother  Payne  and  rode  to  Stratham,  and  tarried  with 
brother  D.  Wiggin,jr..  11th,  to  Exeter.  The  weather 
was  extremely  cold.  Attended  to  some  business  in  rela- 
tion to  our  paper,  "  The  Christian  Herald,"  and  then 
returned  home,  but  almost  frozen.  I  labored  almost  in- 
cessantly, but  accomplished  but  little,  "  time  winging 
me  away  to  my  eternal  home."     Another  year   of  my 


LIFE    OF   ELDER  MARK    FERNALD.  355 

checkered  life  passed.  May  the  Lord  help  me  to  be  more 
holy  and  more  useful  to  myself  and  mankind. 

1846.  I  commenced  January  1st,  which  was  the  fifth 
day  of  the  week,  by  going  to  Portsmouth ;  thence  to  the 
north  of  Kittery :  thence  to  an  evening  appointment,  and 
thence  home,  and  that  was  about  the  way  I  labored  for 
weeks  together  at  some  seasons. 

In  order,  if  possible,  to  awaken  an  interest,  I  held  sta- 
ted meetings  for  the  purpose  of  expounding  some  portions 
of  scripture.  My  course  was,  to  select  a  chapter  and 
notice  the  important  parts,  which  I  found  very  profitable, 
as  the  people  would  attend  better,  and  deeper  impressions 
were  made  on  their  minds.  During  the  month,  two  very 
aged  sisters,  members  of  the  church,  died.  On  the  11th, 
our  missionary  agent,  brother  E.  Shaw,  visited  us,  took  a 
collection,  and  formed  a  church  missionary  society.  On  the 
16th,  I  teamed  wood  with  my  beast,  for  the  poor,  and 
what  I  could  not  afford  to  give  myself,  I  begged  of  others. 

25th,  exchanged  with  brother  Payne  in  the  forenoon, 
and  preached  at  Portsmouth,  Pleasant  street,  in  the  after- 
noon. At  evening  I  lectured  on  temperance  to  some 
thirteen  hundred  persons,  at  the  Temple.  I  believed  the 
Lord  helped  me  that  day,  and  gave  me  much  power  and 
access  to  hundreds  of  candid  hearers.  The  Temple  at 
Portsmouth  was  formerly  the  First  Christian  meeting  house, 
where  I  had  preached  thirty-five  years  before  and 
many  years  after.  Disobedience  to  God  produces  great 
changes.  How  strange  that  many  who  begin  in  the  Spirit, 
end  somewhere  else  ;  but  this  is  the  way  of  the  world. 

The  1st  day  of  February  was  a  stormy  Sabbath,  and 
but  few  attended  meeting.     It  is  not  so  discouraging  to 


356  LIFE   OF   ELDER   MARK   FERNALD. 

have  a  small  congregation  on  a  stormy  day,  as  to  see  inat- 
tention to  prayer  and  conference  meetings  at  other  times. 
During  the  month  I  became  disheartened  and  discouraged 
about  laboring  in  my  old  field  of  hard  soil  or  hard  toil. 
My  spirit  was  much  depressed  and  tempted.  The  church 
was  so  low  that  they  would  not  hold  a  prayer  meeting  with- 
out a  preacher,  and  but  few  would  attend  at  all,  while  the 
unconverted  were  careless,  and  idleness  and  profanity 
abounded.  Our  meetings  on  the  Sabbath,  when  pleasant, 
were  large,  but  that  was  not  enough.  I  witnessed  some  of 
the  evils  arising  from  a  neglect  of  true  discipline  by  a 
church,  and  binding  themselves  by  the  rule  of  Christ. 

March  1st,  my  labors  were  too  much,  which  oppressed 
my  lungs,  but  on  the  2d,  I  resorted  to  my  old  remedy  of 
hard  hand  labor.  Those  who  have  feeble  lungs  would  find 
it  very  beneficial  if  they  would  get  up  a  warmth  and  cir- 
culation by  hand  labor.  6th,  went  to  Ogunquit,  and 
preached  at  the  burial  of  brother  Moses  Perkins,  aged 
fifty-seven.  He  was  a  man  of  influence,  beloved  and  use- 
ful. Returned  home,  and  on  the  9th,  preached  at  the 
burial  of  sister  Sally  Perkins,  a  worthy  church  member. 
My  sixty-second  year  closed.  I  had  tried  to  do  good  to 
others,  but  was  too  unsuccessful. 

On  the  20th,  went  to  Elliot  Neck,  to  the  dedication  of  a 
chapel.  I  preached,  and  brother  Payne  made  the  conse- 
crating prayer.  Brother  Kilton  preached  in  the  afternoon, 
and  J.  B.  Weston  at  evening.  The  meetings  continued 
several  days,  and  were  good  and  profitable.  On  the  21st, 
after  preaching,  I  returned  home.  On  the  way,  I  was 
thrown  from  my  gig,  but  an  unseen  protector  preserved 
me  from  harm. 


LIFE   OF   ELDER   MARK    FERNALD.  35T 

On  the  22d,  which  was  the  Lord's  day,  I  preached  at 
my  usual  place.  In  the  forenoon  brother  Samuel  Norton 
heard  me  from  Ephesians  iv  :  21,  22.  He  went  home  at 
noon  in  distress  witli  cliolic^  and  on  the  Thursday  following 
he  died.  How  uncertain  is  mortal  life  !  How  important 
that  preachers  should  always  feel  that  some  of  their  hearers 
may  be  hearing  the  last  time  !  Brother  Norton  was  a  use- 
ful man,  but  all  means  proved  insufficient,  and  the  tears  of 
an  affectionate  wife  and  eight  fond  children  were  all  una- 
vailing. 

On  the  23d,  I  gave  a  temperance  address  at  the  Fore- 
side  Village,  when  fifty  signed  a  petition  to  ask  the  Legis- 
lature to  stop  the  sale  of  rum  as  a  drink.  Many  others 
signed  afterward. 

April  passed  away  very  much  as  March  did.  Some- 
times I  was  preaching  and  laboring  as  a  minister,  some- 
times attending  on  the  sick  as  a  nurse  and  doctor,  and 
sometimes  obtaining  vegetable  medicine  from  the  woods 
and  fields.  Some  sudden  deaths  occurred.  Two  in  my 
immediate  neighborhood.  Brother  0.  Berry  lost  two  chil- 
dren with  croup.  How  uncertain  is  life,  and  yet  how  care- 
less men  are.  On  the  12th,  I  preached  at  New  Castle,  on 
exchange  with  brother  Boothby,  and  on  the  19th,  at  the 
Foreside.  22d,  was  at  the  ordination  of  George  Pierce, 
junior,  at  Salisbury  Point.  Kilton  preached,  I  prayed, 
Pike  charged,  Lhicoln  fellowshiped,  &c.  Returned  home, 
and  on  the  28th,  in  company  with  brethren  Kimball,  (Con- 
gregational,) and  Libby,  (Free-will  Baptist,)  attended  the 
burial  of  brother  Josiah  Phillips,  who  died,  ayc  believe,  in 
peace.  On  the  16th,  was  our  state  Fast.  I  attended 
three  meetings,  but  the  attendance  was  small.     How  few 


358  LIFE    OF   ELDER   MARK    FERNALD. 

serve    the    Lord    faithfully  or    regard    man's    requests. 

In  May,  it  seemed  that  all  my  efforts  to  revive  the  church 
failed.  I  mourned  to  see  the  indifference  on  the  part  of 
professors.  I  labored  mostly  in  Kittery.  On  the  26th5 
attended  the  first  session  of  the  New  England  Christian 
Convention,  after  its  organization.  It  was  held  in  Boston, 
at  the  Sea  street  chapel ;  and  also  the  New  England  Home 
and  Foreign  Missionary  Society  held  its  first  anniversary. 
The  business  was  done  harmoniously.  One  brother  was 
sent  to  Michigan,  another  to  the  east  and  north  of  Maine, 
and  brother  Shaw  was  appointed  a  missionary  and  agent 
to  visit  the  churches  and  form  auxihary  societies,  collect 
funds,  &c.  At  evening  I  preached.  27th,  in  the  morn- 
ing we  held  a  prayer  meeting,  and  through  the  day  at- 
tended to  business.  At  evening  the  Boston  Sea  street 
Cliristian  Church  Missionary  Society  held  its  annual  meet- 
ing, and  reported  seventy-seven  members.  It  had  con- 
tributed three  hundred  and  sixty-six  dollars  in  ten  months, 
which  was  noble.     28th,  returned  home. 

June  3d,  went  to  Newton,  and  attended  the  New  Hamp- 
shire conference.  Some  preaching  brethren  from  Ohio, 
New  York,  and  New  Jersey  met  with  us.  We  mutually 
agreed  that  the  Missionary  Society  connected  with  the 
conference  should  cease,  as  a  Society  on  a  more  extended 
scale  had  been  commenced.  The  meetings  continued  to 
the  5th.  Several  came  forward  for  prayers,  and  two  came 
out  to  praise  the  Lord.  On  the  7th,  I  preached  thrice  in 
Exeter,  but  felt  very  little  satisfaction  myself,  and  feared 
others  were  as  little  satisfied  with  me.  The  church  was  in 
a  scattered  state.  At  evening  I  rode  to  Stratham,  and 
tarried  with  my  brother  N.  Piper.     On  the  13th,  just  as 


LIFE   OF  ELDER  MARK   FERNALD.  359 

I  was  about  to  start  on  a  journey  to  New  Hampshire,  my 
wife  was  seized  with  another  shock  of  paralysis,  and  in- 
stead of  prosecuting  my  journey,  I  had  to  lend  all  my 
efforts  to  relieve  her,  fearing  all  the  while  we  s  loald  be 
unsuccessful,  but  to  the  praise  of  the  Great  Physician,  she 
was  relieved. 

On  the  19th,  I  ventured  to  start  on  my  tour,  as  I  was 
under  an  engagement  to  Tuftonborough  and  vicinity.  I 
proceeded  as  far  as  South  Berwick,  and  stopped  with 
Elder  Levi  Eldridge. 

On  the  20th,  I  proceeded  to  Wolf  borough.  I  had  many 
misgivings  and  trials  about  leaving  home,  but  my  word 
had  gone,  and  duty  called  me  to  fulfil  what  I  had  prom- 
ised. On  the  morning  of  the  21st,  I  went  to  Tuftonbor- 
ough, where  I  remained  three  days,  holding  meetings,  and 
visiting  the  sick  and  well.  There  were  some  trying  cases 
of  sickness.  I  returned  to  Wolfborough,  to  fulfil  my  en- 
gagements there,  and  on  the  25th,  we  had  a  particularly 
refreshing  season ;  but  on  arriving  at  brother  Coffin's,  at 
evening,  I  found  a  letter  from  home,  which  had  been 
delayed  some  days,  stating  that  my  wife  was  worse.  At 
daylight  I  started  for  home,  and  reached  there  forty-eight 
minutes  before  2  o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  when  I  found 
my  wife  more  comfortable  than  I  feared.  She  continued 
to  improve.  30th,  attended,  with  brother  Payne,  the 
burial  of  sister  Anner  Fernald,  at  the  Foreside.  She  was 
one  of  our  old  members,  but  had  united  with  the  second 
church  for  convenience. 

July  4th,  the  Congregational  and  Free-will  Baptist 
preachers  met  with  me  at  our  chapel,  to  celebrate  the  4th 
of  July  with  the  children.     We  had  an  interesting  time. 


360  LIFE    or   ELDER   MARK    FERNALD. 

The  people  were  dull  as  to  religion,  but  alive  to  the  world. 
20th,  brother  Edmunds,  of  Boston,  visited  me,  but  was 
called  home  to  attend  the  burial  of  brother  Thomas  F. 
Barrj,  who  was  brought  home  from  New  York,  dead.  He 
was  a  good  man,  but  deceived  bj  others.  July  was  a 
month  remarkable  for  rain  and  thunder  showers.  On  the 
28th,  attended  the  burial  of  Daniel  Sargent,  aged  eighteen; 
and  31st,  the  burial  of  his  grandmother,  at  York,  widow 
Charity  Sargent,  aged  eighty.  Surely,  death  is  a  com- 
mon leveller. 

In  August,  I  attended  a  number  of  burials.  2d,  ex- 
changed with  Elder  Thomas  Bartlett,  York.  I  labored 
under  trials  of  mind.  My  labors  and  efforts  sometimes 
appeared  to  me  like  lost  time.  Many  neglected  meetings 
partially,  and  some  wholly.  The  churches  in  the  town 
were  very  low. 

September  2d,  I  Avas  called  to  attend  a  neighbor  who, 
while  a  vessel  was  hauling  in  to  the  wharf,  stepped  into  a 
coil  of  rope,  and  by  its  surrendering,  cut  a  deep  wound  in  his 
leg.  I  administered  to  him  some  days  and  his  leg  was 
saved.  I  was  almost  daily  visiting  sick  and  well ;  talking, 
singing,  and  praying,  yet  few  would  attend  any  meeting 
save  on  the  Sabbath,  and  too  many  absented  themselves  on 
that  day.  On  the  9th,  I  went  to  Exeter,  New  Hampshire, 
and  attended  the  Rockingham  conference,  which  was  rather 
trying.  The  reports  from  the  churches  were  by  no  means 
encouraging.  Our  public  meetings  were  pretty  good,  and 
many  felt  some  revived.  I  returned  home,  and  prepared 
for  a  journey.  On  the  17th,  started  on  a  tour  in  New 
Hampshire.  Met  the  Strafford  conference  at  Milton, 
which  was  a  harmonious  session,  excepting  a  division  of 


LIFE   OF   ELDER  MARK    FERNALD.  361 

feeling  in  relation  to  one  resolve  introduced,  touching  in- 
strumental music  in  connection  with  religious  worship. 
Two  members  were  in  favor  of  music,  while  the  other  mem- 
bers of  conference  were  opposed  to  it.  On  the  19th,  it 
was  expected  I  should  preach.  I  felt  unusually  distressed 
and  could  not  tell  the  cause.  Nothing  had  been  said 
about  bringing  an  instrument  into  our  general  meeting,  as 
it  was  not  customary  on  such  occasions,  even  where  it 
was  used.  After  the  chapel  was  well  filled  with  people, 
my  feelings  were  such  that  I  remained  on  the  floor,  and 
enquired  of  the  pastor  if  an  instrument  was  to  be  used. 
In  reply  he  said,  "  I  do  not  know."  I  requested  him  to 
ascertain.  He  did  so,  and  said,  "  the  head  singer  says 
they  must  have  their  liberty."  I  concluded  I  would 
leave  the  house,  and  was  about  to  do  so,  when  brother 
Swett  said  that  Elder  Fernald's  age  and  feelings  must  be 
regarded,  and  the  singers  replied  that  they  would  dispense 
with  their  instrument.  The  meeting  became  somewhat 
excited,  but  I  went  into  the  stand  and  named  a  hymn  for 
the  singers.  They  refused  to  sing,  and  I  sung  and  prayed; 
after  which,  I  preached  plainly,  if  not  spiritually,  and  had 
freedom.  In  the  afternoon  I  left  and  went  to  Wolf  bor- 
ough. 

I  found  Elder  Townsend  had  gone  to  rest,  aged  ninety- 
one  years  ;  also  brother  Moses  Thompson,  who  had  been 
my  friend  indeed,  and  sister  M.  Thompson.  Another 
generation  had  taken  their  place.  In  1811,  when  war 
raged  and  gospel  converted  souls,  they  were  active  ;  but 
they  are  gone,  and  I  must  go  too.  On  the  22d,  hearing 
that  widow  M.  Piper,  of  Brookfield,  whom  I  baptized 
May  1,  1811,  w^as  to  be  buried  that  day,  I,  with  brother 
31 


362  LIFE   OF   ELDER   MARK    FERNALD. 

B.  Dickson,  hastened  thither.  She  had  hved  godly  thir- 
ty-five years,  and  died  in  good  hope  of  heaven.  Attended 
some  church  business  meetings  in  Wolfborough,  and  then 
went  to  Tuftonborough.  My  wife  accompanied  me  for  her 
health,  which  had  improved,  but  on  the  24th,  she  was  at- 
tacked with  the  erysipelas,  and  was  confined  until  October 
7th,  at  Deacon  Haley's.  I  attended  some  meetings  in 
different  places,  which  were  good  and  encouraging ;  but 
my  time  was  much  taken  up  with  the  sickness  of  my  wife, 
and  in  visiting  others  who  were  sick.  Sister  Haley  was 
sick  at  the  same  time. 

October  2d,  received  bad  news  from  Kittery,  of  sick- 
ness and  death.  I  took  my  farewell  of  the  people  who 
had  contributed  to  supply  my  wants,  and  on  the  7th,  took 
my  sick  wife  in  my  carriage,  and  started  toward  home, 
which  we  reached  on  the  8th.  I  found  death  had 
taken  some  of  the  choicest  from  among  us.  Brother 
Payne's  youngest  son,  Jeremiah  Blake,  was  dead;  also 
our  excellent  brother,  John  Rogers.  I  shall  not  attempt 
to  give  his  character,  only  that  he  was  one  of  the  excellent 
of  the  earth,  and  almost  all  who  knew  him  loved  him  and 
mourned  for  him.  Circumstances  were  such  that  I  did  not 
preach  for  two  weeks,  which  was  a  long  time  for  me.  On 
the  29th,  I  was  at  the  burial  of  Nathaniel  Jenkins,  a  watch- 
man at  the  Navy  Yard,  who  was  found  dead  in  a  ship- 
house.  The  order  of  Rechabites  followed  him  to  the 
grave.  He  was  a  worthy  brother.  On  the  31st,  chose 
another  clerk  in  place  of  Deacon  P.  Fernald,  who  had 
served  thirty- four  years. 

November  commenced  as  October  ended,  with  low  times 
and  cold  feeling.     On  the  9th,  we  received  the  sad  news 


LIFE    OF   ELDER   MARK   FBRNALD.  363 

of  the  death  of  Joel  Haley,  junior,  aged  twenty-five,  who 
■was  a  member  of  the  church.  He  died  in  Louisiana.  On 
the  12th,  had  a  visit  from  brethren  E.  Shaw  and  J.  Hazen. 
The  people  not  feehng  that  inclination  to  attend  meetings 
that  they  did  at  some  other  times,  I  dispensed  with  ap- 
pointments on  week  days,  and  devoted  my  time  exclusively 
to  visiting.  I  visited  some  who  were  sick.  The  25th,  was 
a  fatal  day  to  many  vessels  and  their  croAVS,  as  it  was  a 
snow  storm,  and  a  doleful  night. 

On  December  9th,  six  ministers  met  at  Elder  Payne's, 
for  instruction  from  each  other,  and  had  a  profitable  inter- 
view. On  the  13th,  I  preached  at  brother  Payne's  chapel, 
and  on  the  18th,  attended  the  burial  of  sister  Rebecca 
Todd,  who  lived  and  died  a  Christian.  I  baptized  her 
July  25,  1813.  On  the  22d,  attended  the  meeting  of  the 
Eastern  Christian  Publishing  Association,  at  Exeter,  Avhen 
an  efibrt  was  made  to  unite  the  New  England,  New  York, 
and  Ohio  papers  all  in  one,  and  publish  the  same  at  Alba- 
ny, New  York,  but  the  Ohio  friends  refused,  and  the 
Eastern  wished  to  remain  as  they  were.  Returned  home 
in  a  severe  cold  evening.  23d,  had  our  annual  address 
before  the  Temperance  Society,  which  was  good,  and  on 
the  24th,  was  called  from  my  wood  lot  to  attend  the  mar- 
riage of  Elder  S.  S.  White  and  Clarissa  S.  Perkins. 
The  year  throughout  was  one  of  deep  depression  in  the 
churches  of  Christ.  There  were  but  few  revivals  of  reli- 
gion, and  much  backsliding.  There  was  a  wicked,  cruel 
war  between  two  repubhcs,  the  United  States  and  Mexico. 

Notwithstanding  the  sorrows  on  the  sea,  and  the  efibrts 
of  God's  servants,  but  few  sought  the  Lord.  I  failed  to 
keep  up  a  revival  interest  in  the  church. 


364  LIFE    OF   ELDER  MARK   FERNALD. 


CHAPTER  XXII. 

ATTENDS  THE  CHRISTIAN  ANNIVERSARIES,  AND  ROCKING- 
HAM AND  STRAFFORD  CONFERENCES — OPPOSES  NATIONAL 
WAR BROTHER  ROGERS'  BEQUEST  TO  THE  NEW  HAMP- 
SHIRE BENEVOLENT  SOCIETY ADVICE  TO  HIS  DAUGHTER 

LAST    MOMENTS    OF    MRS.    FERNALD — HER    BURIAL 

VISITS    WHITEFIELD'S    REMAINS JAMES    M.    HODGDON 

ORDAINED  —  MEETING    HOUSE    BURNT  —  DEATH    OF   HIS 
TWO    BROTHERS. 

At  the  commencement  of  1847,  there  seemed  to  be  a 
disposition  to  arise  on  the  part  of  some,  and  on  the  3d  of 
January,  at  a  meeting  at  the  centre  of  the  town,  many 
expressed  their  desire  to  be  more  faithful.  We  had  some 
interesting  and  encouraging  meetings  during  the  month. 
22d,  I  attended  the  American  Peace  Convention,  at  Ports- 
mouth, New  Hampshire.  EHhu  Burritt,  of  Worcester, 
Massachusetts,  was  at  that  time  getting  the  signatures  of 
all  classes  of  men  and  women  to  a  pledge  called  "  Bond 
of  Universal  Brotherhood,"  to  take  no  action  in  national 
wars.  There  were  five  thousand  names  to  the  pledge, 
mostly  in  Massachusetts  and  New  Hampshire,  and  five 
thousand  in  England.  The  meetings  continued  two  days. 
Resolves  were  passed  and  speeches  made.     I  spoke  on  the 


LIFE   OF   ELDER   MARK    FERNALD.  365 

occasion,  uttering  my  sentiment,  that  from  the  time  Christ 
came  as  the  Prince  of  Peace,  and  angels  proclaimed  peace 
on  earth  and  good  will  to  men,  God  had  never  ordered  or 
justified  national  war,  and  called  for  proof  to  the  contrary. 
I  argued  that  the  success  attending  war,  was  no  more 
proof  of  its  being  of  God,  than  the  success  attending  the 
rumseller,  or  drunkard  maker,  was  proof  that  their  busi- 
ness was  of  God. 

Through  the  month  of  February,  I  felt  much  depressed 
in  spirit,  though  I  frequently  had  good  freedom  in  preach- 
ing. The  church  was  low,  and  but  little  apparent  feehng 
among  the  people.  On  the  16th,  I  preached  at  the  burial 
of  Mary  A.  Wilson,  a  worthy  sister,  aged  twenty-eight 
years.  20th,  attended  the  burial  of  Nancy  Davis,  who 
was  baptized  November  20th,  1806,  and  was  one  of  the 
memorable  fourteen  who  composed  the  First  Christian 
church.  26th,  attended  the  burial  of  Benjamin  Billings, 
aged  eighty-eight  years. 

March  7th,  attended  the  Bethel  or  sailor's  prayer  meet- 
ing. The  9th,  closed  my  sixty-third  year,  while  I  mourned 
my  unprofitableness.  On  the  11th,  we  held  a  meeting  to 
take  into  consideration  the  importance  of  contributing  our 
mite  to  assist  the  people  of  Ireland,  who  were  in  a  state  of 
starvation.  We  chose  a  committee  and  treasurer,  and  on 
the  15th,  had  about  twenty  dollars.  Large  sums  were 
raised  in  the  United  States,  but  after  all,  the  amount  was 
small  compared  with  the  wants  in  Ireland  and  Scotland. 
Scores,  if  not  hundreds,  were  dying  daily  of  starvation. 

The  accounts  of  disasters  at  sea  were  distressing.  We 
had  contributed  monthly  to  aid  the  Seaman's  Friend  Soci- 

31* 


366  LIFE   OF   ELDER  MARK   FERNALD. 

etj,  designing  when  twenty  dollars  were  raised,  to  make 
me  a  life  member. 

April  6th,  was  state  Fast.  After  preaching  once,  I  rode 
six  miles  to  Hon.  Mark  Dennett's,  where  a  verj  large 
assembly  of  people  met  to  follow  his  son  Charles  to  the 
grave.  15th,  I  preached  against  war,  because  I  believed 
it  against  the  doctrine  of  the  Prince  of  Peace,  and  foreign 
to  Christianity.  Prayer  meetings  were  very  much  neg- 
lected, and  I  concluded  to  suspend  appointments  for  a 
season,  and  turn  my  attention  to  something  else. 

May  2d,  preached  at  Durham  on  an  exchange  with 
brother  H.  P.  Guilford.  9th,  preached  at  Dover,  on  ex- 
change with  brother  E.  Shaw.  I  preached  on  Christ's 
errand  to  our  world,  and  His  requirements  ;  Luke  9  :  35. 
23d,  exchanged  with  brother  J.  Milton  Chalmers,  at  New 
Castle. 

On  the  25th,  26th,  and  27th,  attended  the  anniversaries 
of  our  New  England  Christian  Convention,  Home  and  For- 
eign Missionary  Society,  &c.  Our  beginning,  like  all 
similar  institutions,  was  small,  but  we  were  prospering. 
We  had  a  pleasant  interview  and  cheering  reports. 

I  felt  much  depressed  in  spirit.  After  doing  to  the  utmost 
of  my  ability  to  arouse  the  people  from  their  lethargy,  it 
appeared  like  water  spilt  on  a  rock. 

June  2d,  met  the  New  Hampshire  conference  at  Dover, 
New  Hampshire.  At  evening,  D.  P.  Pike  preached.  On 
the  3d,  S.  E.  Brown  and  J.  Blackmarr  preached,  and  I 
occupied  the  place  of  a  preacher  in  the  evening.  The  war 
spirit  had  its  strong  friends,  and  the  gospel  had  its  strong 
advocates,  and  the  conference  saw  fit  to  avoid  those 
subjects  on  which  there  was  a  division  of  feeling. 


LIFE   OF  ELDER  MARK   FERNALD.  367 

Returned  home.  16tli,  attended  the  burial  of  Hannah 
WiUiams,  aged  sixty-one  years.  She  professed  conversion 
at  the  age  of  sixteen  years,  and  lived  a  prayerful  life. 
She  was  a  person  much  exercised  for  the  salvation  of  oth- 
ers. I  often  knew  her  agony  of  mind  to  prostrate  her  on 
the  floor,  and  in  loud  cries  she  would  beseech  God  in  behalf 
of  sinners,  and  also  exhort  them  to  repent.  She  had  at 
times  traveled  on  foot  to  attend  yearly  meetings  at  New 
Durham  and  elsewhere.  The  preachers  of  three  societies 
were,  by  request,  in  attendance  at  her  burial.  On  the  22d, 
I  commenced  a  journey  in  New  Hampshire.  Had  some 
excellent  meetings,  and  attended  several  that  were  sick. 

July  1st,  met  in  monthly  conference  at  Wolf  borough, 
at  a  neighborhood  where  the  Christian  and  Free-will  Bap- 
tist brethren  held  their  conference  together.  Twenty- 
eight  spoke,  and  none  could  tell  who  belonged  to  either  by 
their  communication  or  spirit.  It  urns  good.  5th,  returned 
home.  President  Polk  visited  Portsmouth  that  day,  but 
but  had  left  town  when  I  passed.  18th,  exchanged  with 
brother  Bartlett,  at  York,  and  preached  three  times  with 
much  freedom.  On  the  25th,  I  preached  in  Portsmouth, 
in  Hanover  street  chapel,  built  by  Mr.  John  M.  Lord,  for 
the  accommodation  of  his  Sabbath  School. 

August  5th,  had  a  visit  from  brother  Henry  Frost  and 
wife.  She  was  deeply  afflicted  with  a  cancer.  8th,  ex- 
changed with  brother  A.  M.  Averill,  and  I  preached  twice 
at  Portsmouth,  and  a  third  time  at  the  Second  Christian 
chapel  in  Kittery.  24th,  Elder  0.  E.  Morrill  visited  me. 
I  heard  him  preach  in  the  evening  with  brother'Payne's 
people.  30th,  attended  the  burial  of  Joseph  and  Mary 
Seaward's   only   son.     I   felt  freedom,  and  spoke   with 


368  LIFE    OF   ELDER  MARK  FERNALD. 

energy,    in     most    of     our     meetings    during     August. 

September  1st,  visited  brother  Chalmers,  who  was  very 
dangerously  sick  at  New  Castle.  In  the  afternoon  met  a 
few  persons  in  the  east  of  Kittery,  to  whom  I  expounded 
the  word  of  truth. 

On  the  2d,  I  attended,  with  brother  Payne,  the  burial 
of  Sylvester  J.  Dennett,  son  of  brother  Mark  and  sister 
Miriam  Dennett.  A  very  large  concourse  of  people  as- 
sembled. He  died  at  the  age  of  twenty- four  years,  just  as  his 
character  was  estabhshed.  It  was  a  solemn  season,  and 
mournful  to  reflect  on  the  breaches  made  in  that  worthy 
family.  7th,  went  to  Newburyport,  Massachusetts,  to 
attend  the  Rockingham  conference  and  New  Hampshire 
Christian  Benevolent  Society,  which  were  held  there,  com- 
mencing on  the  8th.  The  session  was  one  of  harmony. 
On  the  evening  of  the  9th,  I  preached  in  Belleville. 
Returned  home.  On  the  13th,  I  found  some  could  go  to 
town  meeting  in  a  heavy  rain,  who  did  not  attend  reUgious 
meetings  the  day  before  because  it  was  wet.  16th,  jour- 
neyed in  the  country  to  attend  the  session  of  the  Strafford 
conference,  which  was  holden  at  Wolf  borough.  On  the 
evening  of  the  17th,  Elder  N.  Piper  preached  well.  On 
the  18th,  I  preached  in  the  forenoon  from  Romans  xiv  :  8, 
and  brother  J.  W.  Tilton  preached  in  the  afternoon,  well. 
On  the  afternoon  of  the  19th,  I  spoke  at  length  from  Rev- 
elation iii :  20. 

I  preached  several  times  in  Wolf  borough  and  Tufton- 
borough.  My  meetings  were  interesting,  but  not  lively. 
I  felt  it  my  duty,  as  I  had  from  the  first  of  my  preaching, 
to  testify  against  all  national  war,  which  was  not  pleasing 
to  war-advocating  professors.     On  the  morning  of  the  22d, 


LIFE   OP   ELDER   MARK    FERNALD.  369 

Elder  J.  T.  G.  Colby's  mother  died  at  Ossipee.  Reached 
home  on  the  23d. 

On  the  26th,  had  a  visit  from  our  particular  friends, 
deacon  Jenness  and  wife,  of  Dover,  New  Hampshire. 
29th,  according  to  appointment,  the  Trustees  of  the  New 
Hampshire  Christian  Benevolent  Society  (of  which  I  was 
one,)  met  at  the  dwelHng  house  of  our  lamented  brother, 
John  Rogers,  deceased.  Brother  Rogers  had  willed  the 
most  of  his  property  to  the  Society,  or  in  its  trust ;  one 
half  of  which  was  to  assist  those  preachers  in  the  Christian 
Connection  who  had  become  worn  down  with  labor,  and 
were  in  destitute  circumstances  ;  to  aid  the  widows  and 
orphan  children  of  such  preachers  when  deceased,  and  to 
aid  such  preachers  as  labor  where  they  cannot  get  a  sup- 
port. One  sixth  part  was  for  missionary  purposes,  and 
one  third  was  to  be  divided  equally  between  the  First  and 
Second  Christian  Societies  in  Kittery.  The  interest,  or 
income,  of  said  property,  was  to  expended  annually,  but 
the  principal  to  remain  a  permanent  fund  in  the  hands  of 
said  Trustees.  The  29th,  was  the  day  appointed  for  the 
Trustees  to  receive  the  personal  property,  which  was  rising 
twenty-four  hundred  dollars.  The  real  estate  was  for  the 
use  and  benefit  of  his  wife  until  her  decease,  and  for  oth- 
ers of  his  family.  That  gift  was  a  proof  of  his  excellency. 
As  he  had  no  heir,  he  wished  to  do  good,  and  we  trust  he 
bestowed  his  property  in  a  manner  that  will  accomphsh  the 
most  good. 

October  5th,  I  joined  Joel  Wilson,  of  Kittery,  and  Mary 
Ann  Payne,  of  York,  in  marriage.  17th,  preached  at  the 
second  chapel.  We  had  many  meetings,  but  dull,  dull. 
Attended  a  protracted  meeting  at  Rye,  New  Hampshire. 


370  LIFE    OF   ELDER  MARK    FERNALD. 

Elders  Payne,  Pike,  Averill,  C.  H.  Plumer,  and  myself 
attended,  and  had  a  profitable  season.  31st,  attended  our 
Bethel  prayer  meeting,  when  twenty  dollars  was  paid  to 
the  treasurer  of  the  American  Seaman's  Friend  Society, 
New  York,  to  constitute  Mark  Fernald  a  life  member. 

November  2d,  my  friends  made  me  a  donation  visit. 
Our  time  was  spent  in  social  conversation,  singing  and 
prayer.  The  friends  left  about  five  dollars  worth  of  table 
food,  beside  eighteen  dollars  in  money.  7th,  preached 
twice  at  York  on  exchange  with  brother  Bartlett.  While 
I  Avas  describing  those  who  served  God  and  those  who 
served  mammon,  some  half  dozen  young  men  left  the  house 
as  proof  of  my  doctrine. 

On  the  15th,  went  to  Newbury  port,  where  the  New 
England  Home  and  Foreign  Missionary  Society's  Board 
met  for  business.  We  sent  out  two  new  missionaries,  one 
East  and  one  West.  16th,  returned  home.  18th,  attended 
the  setting  of  grave  stones  at  the  grave  of  brother  John 
Rogers,  who  died  September  29th,  1846,  aged  sixty-nine 
years.  He  was  baptized  in  July,  1807.  Lived  and  died 
a  Christian.  As  an  evidence  of  the  estimation  in  which 
he  was  held  by  his  fellow  citizens,  he  was  chosen  town 
clerk  twenty-eight  years  in  succession. 

In  December,  too  little  interest  was  manifested  in  the 
cause  of  rehgion.  On  the  15th,  I  preached,  but  few  at- 
tended. On  the  16th,  I  met  a  full  assembly  at  the  Navy 
Yard,  where  I  had  appomted  to  preach  on  Righteousness 
and  Temperance.  I  spoke  first  on  our  duty  to  God  ;  sec- 
ondly, our  righteous  duty  to  mankind  ;  and  then  spoke 
upon  the  effects  of  intemperance,  both  upon  body  and 
mind.     I  urged  the  duty  of  temperance  men  to  persuade 


LIFE   OF   ELDER   MARK    FERJ^ALD.  371 

the  retailers  of  strong  drink  to  abandon  it,  and  if  they  did 
not,  to  use  the  righteous  law  and  compel  them.  29th, 
preached  at  the  burial  of  a  neglector  of  salvation — a  rum 
case.  On  the  31st,  I  met  with  brother  Chalmers,  at  New 
Castle,  to  attend  a  protracted  meeting.  I  preached  from 
1  Peter  4  :  7  ;  "The  end  of  all  things  is  at  hand." 

1848.  January  1st,  I  met  with  brother  Chalmers  in  a 
good  meeting,  and  the  Lord  helped  me.  Returned  home 
and  attended  daily  meetings.  12th,  attended  at  the  bur- 
ial of  Richard  Rogers,  one  of  brother  Payne's  society;  a 
man  of  great  worth,  who  died  suddenly  from  a  wound  in 
his  thumb.  The  public  sustained  a  great  loss.  To  the 
end  of  January,  I  continued  my  labors  about  home. 

I  commenced  February  by  trying  to  restore  disaffected 
members,  but  labored  in  vain.  Nothing  is  more  blinding 
than  prejudice  and  hardness.  On  the  evening  of  the  4th, 
we  had  the  first  snow  sufficient  for  sleighing  for  the  winter. 
On  the  6th,  which  was  Sabbath,  only  three  met  for  wor- 
ship. On  the  9th,  I  preached  at  a  small  meeting,  while 
a  doctor  and  others  had  a  party,  called  a  "  temperance 
pic-nic,"  which  was  a  deceptive  plan  to  have  a  dancing 
frolic,  that  continued  until  3  o'clock  the  next  morning. 
Several  youths  were  induced  to  attend,  to  the  great  grief 
of  their  religious  parents.  I  reproved  their  conduct  and 
exposed  their  evil,  which  drew  out  hard  threatenings  from 
the  doctor.  The  custom  of  dancing  had  been  suppressed 
for  more  than  thirty  years,  except  by  a  few  of  the  meanest 
class  in  a  remote  district.  I  had  repeatedly  denounced 
their  conduct  and  suffered  their  vile  reproach.  We  often 
had  had  trouble  with  church  members  on  this  account,  and 
on  the   12th,  dismissed  a  poor,  deluded  member  on  that 


372  LIFE   OF   ELDER  MARK    FERNALD. 

account.  13th,  dealt  God's  truth  plainly  to  transgressors. 
16th,  preached,  while  many  wgvq  solemn,  yet  the  dancers 
were  mad  and  threatened  to  their  own  shame,  and  to  the 
increase  of  my  zeal,  which  kept  me  at  work  day  and  eve- 
ning, to  the  close  of  the  month. 

March  6th,  visited  a  dying  man,  Mr.  Thomas  Waldron, 
who  soon  died,  leaving  a  widow  with  small  children,  which 
moved  our  feelings.  On  the  9th,  which  closed  sixty-four 
years  of  my  life,  I  took  my  daughter,  Elizabeth  Jane,  to 
Portsmouth.  I  obtained  for  her  a  good  place,  with  a  godly 
widow,  to  learn  the  trade  of  a  tailoress.  On  that  day,  I 
wrote  the  following  to  my  daughter : 

A   parent's    ADVICE   TO    A    CHILD. 

Daughter  Elizabeth  Jane  Fernald  : — I  have  advice  to 
give,  which  I  most  seriously  wish  thee  to  follow.  First, 
as  thou  dost  leave  the  home  of  thy  childhood,  and  the  im- 
mediate watch  of  thy  anxious  parents,  on  the  day  which 
fills  up  thy  father's  sixty-fourth  year,  I  entreat  thee  to 
remember,  that  as  God  will  bring  every  work  into  judg- 
ment; thy  whole  life  ought  to  be  spent  in  reference  to  that 
solemn  and  awful  event — "  the  Judgment  Day." 

Seek  first  the  salvation  of  thy  soul.  Remember  that  a 
strict,  chaste,  modest,  kind,  benevolent  course  will  ensure 
a  sound,  honorable  character  through  life.  Be  more 
watchful  against  all  flattery  than  grieved  at  frowns  or 
scorn. 

Thy  present  age  exposes  thee  more  to  temptations,  anx- 
ieties about  the  future,  &c.,  than  age  hereafter.  Thou 
wilt,  doubtless,  have  flatterers,  who  will  use  policy,  and 
art,  and  the  friendship  of  other-s,  to  induce  thee  into  com- 


LIFE    OF   ELDER   MARK    FERNALD.  373 

pany  or  places  to  ensnare  thy  mind,  or  entangle  thy  affec- 
tions unaware  to  thee.  I  strongly  advise  thee,  both  for 
body  and  soul's  sake,  to  avoid  all  private  company,  or 
private  talk  with  any  male  or  female  who  may  be  likely  to 
injure  thy  mind.  Take  thy  parents'  advice,  to  postpone 
all  talk  with  every  person  about  changing  thy  condition, 
until  thy  age  gives  more  maturity  to  thy  judgment.  Get 
a  trade  well,  live  honorably,  and  God  will  direct  thee  as  to 
future  life. 

Evening  walks  are  often  ensnaring  and  dangerous, 
especially  in  thick  settled  places.  Whenever  duty  calls 
to  meeting,  or  on  errands,  especially  by  night,  never  feel 
safe,  unless  accompanied  by  some  trusty,  proved  friend. 
Be  not  anxious  to  attend  all  meetings  of  which  thou  dost 
hear,  yet  attend  some  respectable  place  of  worship,  where 
thy  mind  is  likely  to  be  benefited. 

And  lastly,  as  the  salvation  of  thy  soul  and  thy  charac- 
ter through  life,  depends  upon  the  course  thou  dost  pursue, 
pray  often  and  fervently  to  God  for  His  Holy  Spirit  to 
direct  and  aid  thee.  Remember  the  efforts  of  thy  anx- 
ious parents  for  thy  welfare.  Bring  not  thy  soul  to  sorrow 
by  any  sin.  Bring  not  grief  to  thy  parents  in  their  old 
a<^e.  Visit  them  as  often  as  convenient.  Be  sure  that 
if  thou  dost  conduct  well,  and  remain  steadfast  in  thy 
mind  single,  until  a  proper  age,  God  will  direct  thy  course 
in  prosperity,  and  I,  with  thy  mother,  will  do  well  by  thee. 
Thy  anxious  father,  Mark  Fernald. 

KiTTERY,  March  9th,   1848. 

I  continued  my  efforts  and  labors  as  usual,  but  felt 
much  depressed  in  mind  at  the  low  state  of  Zion,  and  my 
32 


374  LIFE   OF   ELDER  MARK    PERNALD. 

unprofitableness.  Zion  was  low,  and  "  few  attended  her 
solemn  feasts."  Elder  John  Lord  preached  for  us  on  the 
26th.  Attended  the  burial  of  a  man  who  had  lived  a 
notoriously  wretched  life  of  drinking  and  theft,  and  suf- 
fered much  from  imprisonment,  but  more  from  rum.  Rum 
destroyed  him.     A  solemn  warning. 

April  commenced  with  a  horrid  stupidity  on  the  minds 
of  many.  On  the  2d,  Elder  John  Boothby  very  unex- 
pectedly came  to  our  assistance.  Good  followed  his  labors. 
On  the  3d,  sister  Aphiah  Badger,  wife  of  brother  Samuel 
Badger,  at  the  west  of  the  town,  died  suddenly,  aged  forty- 
nine  years.  On  the  4th,  I  visited  captain  Badger  and 
family  in  their  deep  affliction.  He  had  but  a  short  time 
previous  lost  his  son  George  W.,  and  a  married  daughter. 
He  was  still  a  Christian.  On  the  5th,  with  brethren  Payne 
and  Boothby,  attended  the  burial  of  sister  Badger.  The 
congregation  was  very  large.  I  baptized  her  thirty-one 
years  before.     She  died  in  good  hope. 

On  the  13th,  was  state  Fast,  and  I  attended  meeting, 
preaching  twice,  but  many  disregarded  the  request  of  their 
Governor,  and  kept  at  work.  On  the  16th,  after  preach- 
ing twice  freely,  a  colored  man  from  Dover,  New  Hamp- 
shire, lectured  on  the  abolition  of  slavery,  or  colored  peo- 
ple's rights.  I  labored  hard  during  the  month,  but  pro- 
fessed Christians  were  more  for  the  world  than  for  Christ. 

May  4th,  in  passing  a  growth  of  pines,  I  discovered 
many  young  trees  bowed  down  and  spoiled  by  snow  during 
the  winter.  While  looking  at  those  young  trees  I  had 
many  reflections.  I  began  to  feel  much  for  the  rising 
generation,  exposed  to  all  the  evils  of  the  world  and  the 
arts  of  the  Devil.     Had  we  known  the  condition  of  those 


LIFE   OF   ELDER  MARK    FERNALD.  375 

trees  when  first  weighed  down  with  the  snow,  we  might 
have  removed  the  burden,  and  the  trees  might  have  become 
erect.  So  might  many  youth  be  saved  from  ruin  by  sin, if 
timely  care  was  taken,  who  for  want  of  that  care  suffer 
destruction.  On  the  14th,  I  preached  at  Portsmouth,  on 
exchange,  and  at  5  o'clock  went  to  the  chapel  at  the 
Eoreside,  to  hear  a  lecture  on  education. 

The  state  of  rehgious  feeling  was  so  low,  that  at  one 
conference  meeting  only  one  person  attended,  and  at  sev- 
eral meetings  there  were  only  two  or  three.  It  was  sor- 
rowful to  see  such  lamentable  stupidity,  and  yet  some  of 
all  ages  were  dying.  Brother  J.  Elliot,  from  Ohio,  visited 
us  and  preached.  On  the  30th,  and  31st,  attended  our 
anniversaries  at  Boston,  which  were  very  interesting. 

June  1st,  our  anniversaries  at  Boston  closed,  and  I  re- 
turned home.  2d,  preached  at  the  burial  of  widow  Han- 
nah Parker,  aged  eighty-four  years,  who  had  been  a  mem- 
ber with  us  many  years,  and  left  with  a  good  hope.  7th, 
met  with  the  New  Hampshire  conference,  at  Portsmouth, 
New  Hampshire.  We  had  a  harmonious  session  of  one 
day,  without  any  public  religious  meeting,  excepting  that 
evening.  On  the  8th,  I  preached  at  the  burial  of  a  sea 
captain.  He  was  a  promising  man  once  ;  but  alas  !  what 
do  rum  and  infidelity  do  for  many.  11th,  preached  at 
York,  on  exchange  with  brother  Bartlett.  I  started  on 
the  21st,  for  a  journey  in  New  Hampshire,  taking  with  me 
my  wife,  who  had  found  much  relief  by  journeying  after  her 
paralytic  affection.  I  visited  as  far  in  New  Hampshire  as 
Tuftonborough,  attended  many  meetings,  all  of  which  I 
trust  were  profitable. 

We  remained  in  New  Hampshire  until  the  5th  of  July, 


3T6  LIFE    OF   ELDER   MARK   FERNALD. 

■when  we  reached  home  in  safety.  It  was  about  useless  to 
appoint  meetings  on  other  days  than  Sabbath,  as  the  reU- 
giousfeehng  was  low  and  the  people  busy.  20th,  attended 
a  burial.  [Query  :  Ought  not  wealthy  people,  who  call  on 
ministers  out  of  their  societies,  to  travel  miles  to  attend 
burials,  to  compensate  them  ?]  31st,  attended  the  burial  of 
Lydia  Seaward,  daughter  of  brother  William  Seaward, 
aged  twenty-four  years.     She  died  happy. 

August  3d,  visited  an  old  seaman  eighty  years  of  age, 
who  was  in  agonizing  distress  for  his  salvation.  His  past 
life  looked  lamentable  to  him,  while  he  nearly  despaired  of 
hope,  yet  continued  to  plead  with  the  Lord  for  pardon. 
6th,  preached  at  Elliot,  and  believe  good  was  done.  On 
the  20th,  exchanged  with  brother  0.  E.  Morrill,  of  Ports- 
mouth, and  had  a  solemn  season.  23d,  preached  at  the 
burial  of  Samuel  Riley,  junior,  who  was  drowned  at  Cape 
Ann,  aged  twenty-six  years,  and  who  was  an  excellent 
young  man.  The  affliction  was  deep  to  his  parents  and 
family.  On  the  28th,  I  started  on  a  country  tour  to 
preach  the  word. 

On  the  11th  of  September,  I  returned  to  Kittery. 
During  my  visit  I  had  many  interesting  and  profitable 
meetings.  On  the  13th  and  14th,  attended  the  Rocking- 
ham conference,  and  New  Hampshire  Christian  Benevolent 
Society,  at  Rye,  New  Hampshire.  15th  and  16th,  at- 
tended the  Strafford  conference  at  Durham.  Returned 
home.  On  the  17th,  baptized  Theodore  Trafton,  who 
married  the  widow  of  good  John  Rogers.  20th,  had  a 
special,  solemn  time  in  taking  a  farewell  of  an  aged  sister, 
who  was  bright  and  happy,  and  confident  of  meeting  us  in 
heaven. 


LIFE   OF  ELDER  MARK   FERNALD.  377 

October  5th,  a  Fair,  so  called,  was  held.  I  called  it 
Bunyan's  Vanity  Fair,  as  all  had  to  pay  entrance  money, 
and  six  cents  each  to  see  a  box  of  rag  babies,  presented  by 
a  high-school  mistress.  Folly  and  wickedness  to  learn 
youth  to  get  money  dishonestly,  and  then  suppose  the  "  end 
sanctifies  the  means,"  because  the  money  was  to  be  put  to 
religious  purposes. 

I  journeyed  in  New  Hampshire,  and  found  four  dead 
out  of  Mr.  Henry  Parker's  family,  and  Judge  Rogers' 
wife  was  gone  also.  12th,  we  commenced  a  protracted 
meeting  at  Tuftonborough.  On  the  15th,  I  had  an  unu- 
sual time  in  preaching  from  Jeremiah  xiii :  21  ;  "  What 
wilt  thou  say  when  he  shall  punish  thee  ?"  I  think  I  had 
not  seen  so  much  conviction  and  weeping  in  a  meeting  for 
many  years.  In  the  evening  several  rose  to  request  pray- 
ers. During  these  meetings  several  bowed  the  knee  and 
sought  the  Lord.  After  taking  an  affectionate  farewell,  I 
returned  home.  I  found  my  wife  had  failed,  was  numb, 
and  had  but  httle  use  of  her  feet.  She  continued  to  fail. 
No  means  that  we  could  employ  benefited  her.  She 
seemed  worn  out  with  disease  and  toil.  I  preached  several 
tunes,  but  under  much  labor  of  mind  and  depression  of 
spirits.  I  could  not  keep  up  my  spirits,  while  I  expected 
to  lose  such  a  godly  companion. 

November  1st,  wife  was  still  sinking,  and  all  means  to 
afford  her  rehef,  or  even  nourishment,  failed.  On  the  2d, 
she  became  wandering  in  mind.  Many  friends  called  to 
see  her,  but  could  do  no  good,  although  they  manifested 
their  anxiety  to  do  so.  On  the  3d,  she  was  at  times  rea- 
sonable, and  wished  me  to  sing,  "0,  when  shall  I  see 
Jesus."  Also,  "Now  the  Savior  stands  a  pleading." 
32* 


378  LIFE   OP   ELDER   MARK   FBRNALD. 

At  times  -her  very  feeble  mind  was  tempted,  and  then 
again  relieved.  Brethren  Payne  and  Kimball  made  short 
prayers  with  her.  On  the  4th,  she  wished  none  but  her 
own  Ehzabeth  Jane  with  her,  to  whom  she  talked  much. 
About  9  o'clock. in  the  forenoon  she  became  calm  and  rea- 
sonable, and  told  us  she  was  going  home.  She  wished  to 
see  two  friends,  to  talk  with  them,  which  she  did.  She 
called  me,  and  wished  me  to  say  what  I  had  to  say  while 
she  had  her  reason.  She  wished  to  know  if  I  could  trust 
her  with  the  Lord,  when  I  freely  answered,  "  I  can  ;" 
and  told  her  of  her  forty-one  years  spent  in  faithfully 
serving  the  Lord,  better  than  I  had.  I  repeated  many 
of  the  Savior's  sure  promises,  and  she  felt  joyful  in  them. 
I  told  her  those  promises  did  not  apply  to  the  unfaithful, 
and  that  I  must  still  warn  them  to  repent.  She  replied, 
"  You  will  not  always  warn  them."  She  then  wished  me 
to  tell  the  wicked  and  unfaithful  that  I  should  not  always 
warn  them,  but  that  they  must  prepare  for  heaven.  5th, 
and  6th,  she  was  lost  most  of  the  time,  not  knowing  me. 
Once  she  recognized  me.  Her  affectionate  and  sympa- 
thizing look  was  more  than  I  could  endure,  without  betray- 
ing my  feelings,  and  thereby  afflicting  her,  and  I  left  the 
room.  On  the  6th,  I  received  a  very  appropriate  letter 
from  brother  Elijah  Shaw. 

I  lived  between  hope  and  despair,  as  I  kept  wrestling  in 
prayer  for  her  life,  and  yet  almost  knew  the  Lord  was 
about  to  remove  her.  It  was  a  new  furnace  to  me,  such  as 
I  had  never  known  before.  Sometimes  I  was  in  the  keen- 
est distress,  and  then  again  would  lose  my  burden,  and 
feel  calm.  On  the  9th,  her  sister  came  to  see  her  from 
Boston.     She  so  far  revived  as  to  know  her,  and  brother 


LIFE   OF  ELDER  MARK    FERNALD.  379 

0.  E.  Morrill.  Her  mind  was  upon  good  things.  She 
thought  she  saw  an  open  door,  and  exclaimed,  though  in  a 
whisper,  "  0,  wonderful,  wonderful  condescension ;  the 
eternal  joy."  The  trying  furnace  of  affliction  seemed 
worse  by  reason  of  my  deafness,  as  I  could  hear  but  little 
she  whispered,  and  could  only  know  through  our  daughter, 
who  constantly  waited  on  her.  What  a  trying  scene  for 
me  and  my  youthful  daughter.  We  could  only  cry  to 
Heaven  to  direct  and  aid  us.  On  the  16th,  she  fell  into 
a  lethargetic  state,  in  which  she  remained  until  Sabbath, 
the  19th,  at  twenty  minutes  past  3  o'clock,  when  she 
opened  her  eyes,  looked  at  me,  turned  them  to  the  left, 
and  ceased  to  breathe.  Thus  closed  the  life  of  that  godly, 
faithful  saint,  aged  sixty-one  years  and  three  months.  I 
felt  that  few  such  women  lived  on  earth.  But  she  is  gone. 
The  burial  services  took  place  on  Wednesday,  the  22d, 
when  the  relatives  and  friends,  with  several  preachers, 
met  at  my  house,  and  after  some  remarks  and  prayer,  all 
went  to  the  chapel,  which  was  filled  with  people.  Six 
preachers  attended,  five  of  whom  took  part  in  the  exercises 
while  the  sixth  was  in  affliction  with  me.  Some  years  be- 
fore, when  she  was  sick  and  thought  she  should  die,  she 
requested  brother  G.  M.  Payne  to  preach  at  her  funeral, 
if  he  should  be  ahve  at  her  decease.  Brother  Payne 
preached  well  from  Psalms  cxii :  6  ;  "  The  righteous  shall 
be  in  everlasting  remembrance."  He  spoke  freely  of  the 
traits  of  a  righteous  character,  and  applied  them  severally 
to  the  deceased,  appealing  to  the  people  as  witnesses.  She 
was  then  followed  to  the  grave  yard  adjoining  the  chapel 
lot,  which  at  her  request,  had  been  prepared  as  a  proprie- 
tors' burying  ground.     As  the  husband  and  dear  daughter 


380  LIFE   OF   ELDER   MARK   FERNALD. 

stood  taking  the  last  look  of  departed  worth,  he  said, 
"  Here  are  the  remains  of  a  loving  and  faithful  wife."  His 
utterance  failed,  but  resuming,  he  said,  "  worn  out  with 
infirmities  and  hard  labor ;  a  godly  saint ;  a  Christian  ; 
rest,  rest,  and  soon  I  may  be  by  thee.  Rest  in  peace  until 
Christ  shall  come."  Tears  were  shed  from  almost  every 
eye.  Truly  the  righteous  will  be  remembered.  On  the 
following  Sabbath,  the  26th,  I  expected  a  preacher  to  aid 
me,  but  was  disappointed,  and  so  I  preached  twice  and 
broke  bread  to  the  church,  and  although  I  had  good  free- 
dom in  preaching,  I  felt  sunken  in  spirit.  I  felt  unfit  for 
any  business,  yet  felt  that  duty  called  me  to  labor.  On 
the  30th,  I  met  with  the  Congregational  preacher  at  the 
burial  of  one  of  his  best  members,  and  at  evening  attended 
our  annual  Missionary  meeting. 

December  1st,  visited  brother  Benjamin  Murgridge's 
house,  and  found  his  excellent  wife  had  just  expired  in 
death.  That  was  the  fifth  member  of  the  church  under 
my  care  that  had  died  in  three  months.  A  loss  indeed. 
On  the  3d,  attended  the  burial  of  sister  Mary  Murgridge. 
I  felt  deeply  dejected  and  cast  down.  I  fervently  prayed 
the  Lord  to  aid  me  to  be  such  a  Christian  as  he  wished  me 
to  be.  I  could  only  go  to  God  for  myself,  my  daughter, 
the  revival  of  Zion,  and  the  conversion  of  sinners.  12th, 
went  to  Newburyport,  and  tarried  with  brother  E.  Shaw 
and  family.  Attended  some  meetings  with  brother  Pike. 
As  the  first  serious  impressions  of  mind,  that  proved  last- 
ing, were  by  reading  the  writings  of  godly  George  White- 
field,  I  had  long  desired  to  see  his  remains,  which  lay  en- 
tombed under  the  Federal  street  meeting  house.  On  the 
14th,  by  the  kindness  of  the  sexton,  I  was  permitted  to 


LIFE    OF   ELDER  MARK   FERNALD.  381 

enter  the  tomb  and  examine  the  remains  of  Mr.  White- 
field,  and  Mr.  Parsons,  at  whose  house  Mr.  Whitefield  died. 
Both  were  eminent  ministers.  All  the  bones  of  Mr. 
Whitefield  remained  whole  and  sound,  and  all  there  ex- 
cept one  arm  bone,  supposed  to  have  been  privately  con- 
veyed across  the  Atlantic.  I  gazed  into  those  sockets 
where  a  century  before  eyes  had  wept  over  sinners  ;  and 
from  that  head  loudly  sounded  forth  truth,  piercing  thous- 
ands of  hard  hearts.  But  all,  all  was  still,  and  soon  I  must 
lay  like  them  in  death.  I  retired,  hoping  to  enter  rest  with 
them. 

On  the  15th,  I  visited  Salisbury,  and  preached  freely 
to  the  people.  16th,  returned  home.  20th,  visited  at 
York  Neck.  Preached  at  a  meeting  of  serious  minds. 
25th 5  the  carelessness  of  the  people  prevented  me  from 
holding  a  preaching  meeting,  as  I  usually  did  on  Christ- 
mas. However,  some  from  the  east  of  the  town  met  a 
gang  in  the  south  of  York,  and  had  a  shameful  riot  of 
drinking,  shooting,  dancing,  &c.,  all  day  and  all  night. 
26th,  poor  Charles  White,  who  fiddled  and  drank  with 
the  mockers  of  Christ,  at  York,  after  his  night's  spree, 
came  to  Kittery,  stopped  at  a  store  near  my  house,  drank 
a  large  quantity  of  water,  played  on  his  fiddle,  then  passed 
on  about  one  hundred  rods  beyond  my  door,  and  suddenly 
died  in  the  street.  He  had  bled  at  his  mouth  sometime 
previous,  was  a  poor  inebriate,  and  supported  at  the  Alms- 
house ;  came  from  the  south  some  forty  years  before  as  a 
soldier,  and  married  at  New  Castle,  New  Hampshire,  but 
left  his  family,  being  too  bad  to  live  with  them.  Thus 
ended  a  ruined  man.  Bum  and  froHcking  destroy  mil- 
lions.    The  31st,  was  Sabbath,  which   ended,  to  me,  a 


382  LIFE   OF   ELDER  MARK   FERNALD. 

memorable  year.  I  preached  twice,  but  it  being  windy  and 
blustering,  the  congregation  was  small,  but  in  the  evening 
we  had  quite  an  attendance  at  our  monthly  union  prayer 
meeting  for  sailors. 

My  past  life  looked  almost  lost,  yet  I  had  tried  to  do  the 
best  I  could  under  the  circumstances.  I  felt  poor  and  de- 
jected, having  but  little  prospect  of  doing  better.  I  prayed 
the  Lord  for  direction.  I  had  preached  at  our  own  chapel 
during  the  year  eighty- nine  sermons  in  forty-three  Sab- 
baths, and  preached  in  other  places  in  town  twenty-five 
times,  besides  attending  sixty-seven  prayer  and  conference 
meetings.  I  had  attended  meetings  several  times  with 
others,  but  0,  the  lack  of  life  and  energy. 

1849.  Several  deaths  occurred  during  the  month  of 
January,  and  I  found  it  my  duty  to  be  much  with  the  sick, 
afflicted,  and  bereaved. 

In  February,  death  reigned.  My  soul  was  grieved  at 
professed  Christians'  carelessness,  while  the  wicked  were 
hastening  on  to  destruction  in  blindness.  22d,  conveyed 
Elder  Newhall  and  wife  to  Portsmouth.  He  appeared  to 
be  a  good  man,  and  labored  for  Peace,  Temperance  and 
Righteousness. 

March  4th,  Z.  Taylor,  the  great  warrior,  was  announced 
President  of  the  United  States  ;  but  it  was  a  joeaceaSZe 
Sabbath,  and  I  preached  twice  to  a  crowd  of  hearers. 
The  9th,  closed  my  sixty-fifth  year.  The  year  had  been 
one  of  affliction.  "  Life  is  but  a  span ;  of  few  days  and 
full  of  trouble."  Some  reviving  influence  among  the 
youth.  On  the  15th,  by  request,  I  preached  at  Foreside 
chapel,  at  the  burial  of  Mr.  William  Jones,  aged  eighty- 
two  years.     On  the  20th,  attended  our  society's  meeting, 


LIFE   OF  ELDER  MARK    FERNALD.  383 

and  informed  them  not  to  depend  on  me  for  preaching. 
On  the  21st,  attended  a  meeting  of  the  New  Hampshire 
Christian  Benevolent  Society,  which  was  held  at  Ports- 
mouth. On  the  22d,  being  appointed  for  that  purpose,  I 
transferred,  or  sold  the  right  of  the  remaining  property  of 
the  late  John  Rogers,  which  the  society  held,  to  Mrs. 
Eunice  Trafton,  late  widow  of  said  brother  Rogers,  for 
one  thousand  and  fifty  dollars  ;  the  same  to  be  kept  at 
interest,  and  the  interest  added  to  the  principal  annually, 
and  thereby  becoming  principal,  until  the  death  of  the  said 
Mrs.  Trafton. 

On  the  29th,  while  on  my  way  to  Portsmouth,  I  learned 
that  our  most  noted  groggery  was  shut  up  by  reason  of  the 
death  of  the  keeper  by  delifium  tremens,  or  horrors.  How 
awful  for  a  man  to  leave  time  in  such  a  state.  0,  the 
curse  of  strong  drink. 

April  5th,  being  state  Fast,  I  preached  to  a  serious 
congregation.  10th,  met  with  brother  Payne  in  a  temper- 
ance meeting,  who  gave  an  address  as  he  was  wont  to  do. 
12th,  was  at  the  death  of  Eunice  Ann  WilHams,  a  youth 
of  sixteen,  but  remarkable  for  her  womanly  appearance, 
behavior,  and  attendance  on  religious  meetings.  She  fell 
asleep  in  hope  without  a  struggle  or  a  sigh.  21st,  Elder 
Clough,  the  Methodist  preacher  in  town,  preached  at  our 
chapel  on  a  burial  occasion.  Our  friends  made  me  a  do- 
nation for  the  purpose  of  procuring  suitable  stones  for  my 
wife's  grave,  and  on  the  25th,  we  obtained  them.  They 
were  marble,  and  cost  seventeen  dollars  and  forty-one 
cents.  The  friends  gave  me  more  money  to  assist  in  my 
extra  expenses.  On  the  monument  are  the  following 
verses  : 


884  LIFE    OF   ELDER   MARK    FERNALD. 

''  Wife  and  mother,  thou  hasi  left  us, 

And  thy  loss  we  deeply  feei  ; 
But  't  is  God  that  hath  bereft  us, 

He  can  all  our  sorrows  heal." 

This  monunaent,  thy  friends  erected  here, 
A  token  of  respect  lo  one  most  dear, 
Whose  Chrisuan  virtues  shone  full  forty  years: 
Rest,  rest,  dear  saint,  no  more  lo  sigh  in  tears. 

May  1st,  my  daughter  left  home  on  a  visit  among 
friends,  and  I  prepared  to  visit  among  the  churches.  I 
visited  Portsmouth,  Greenland,  Rye,  Stratham,  Exeter, 
and  Kingston,  and  then  returned  home.  On  the  13th, 
preached  in  Elliot,  and  attended  the  burial  of  Mark  F. 
Lewis'  wife.  Again  visited  the  churches  in  Rockingham 
county ;  proceeded  as  far  as  Stratham,  and  had  a  violent 
bilious  attack.  I  reached  Exeter,  and  put  up  with  Dr.  S. 
Swett,  who  administered  medicine  to  me.  I  became  so 
reduced,  that  I  was  obliged  to  give  up  my  appointments 
and  return  home,  and  sent  for  my  daughter.  On  the  20th, 
brother  J.  C.  Blodgett  preached  for  me.  My  health  im- 
proving, I  started  for  Boston,  to  attend  the  anniversaries 
of  the  New  England  Convention.     Returned  on  the  31st. 

I  concluded  it  proper  for  me  to  obtain  another  compan- 
ion as  my  wife.  Due  notice  was  given,  and  on  the  29th 
of  July,  1849,  I  was  joined  in  marriage  with  Mrs.  Emily 
Shepard,  widow  of  the  late  Elder  Mark  H.  Shepard,  by 
Elder  George  Moore  Payne,  at  his  dwelling  house.  She 
had  one  son,  Samuel  Philanson  Shepard,  in  his  fifteenth 
year. 

In  June,  I  attended  the  New  Hampshire  conference, 
which  was  held  at  Milton,  New  Hampshire,  commencing 
on  the  6th.     The  session  was  harmonious.     On  the  after- 


LIFE   OF   ELDER  MARK    FERNALD.  385 

noon  of  the  6th,  commenced  the  general  meeting  by  a 
sermon  from  Brother  Payne,  that  served  as  a  text  through 
the  remainder  of  the  meeting,  which  was  attended  with 
good.  Visited  Wolf  borough,  Tuftonborough,  and  Moul- 
tonborough.  Attended  in  council  for  the  ordination  of 
brother  James  M.  Hodgdon,  of  Moultonborough,  and  as- 
sisted in  ordination  on  the  19th. 

In  July,  I  labored  mostly  in  Kittery,  occasionally 
preaching  in  other  places.  I  think  my  labors  were  not  alto- 
gether in  vain. 

August  3d,  President  Taylor  having  proclaimed  a  Na- 
tional Fast,  on  account  of  the  cholera,  the  Congrega- 
tional and  Free-will  Baptist  ministers,  and  myself,  met  with 
some  of  our  people  at  the  Congregationalists'  house,  and 
held  a  meeting,  which  was  satisfactory.  On  the  morning 
of  the  10th,  our  chapel,  which  was  nearly  new,  was 
burned.  When  discovered,  the  fire  had  so  far  advanced, 
that  the  flames  could  not  be  arrested.  It  was  the  work  of 
an  enemy,  and  set  on  fire  by  an  incendiary.  For  a  few 
days  we  felt  in  a  tried  state,  not  knowing  what  to  do  ; 
but  on  the  20th,  we  held  a  meeting  to  see  if  another  house 
could  be  erected,  and  started  a  subscription.  I  subscribed 
forty  dollars.  On  the  28th,  having  six  hundred  and  fifty 
dollars  subscribed,  we  issued  proposals  for  another  house. 

Mr.  Joseph  Seaward  and  Captain  Jeremiah  Gunnison, 
offered  us  the  use  of  their  large  halls,  which  we  occupied. 

September  6th,  and  to  the  8th,  attended  a  protracted 
meeting  at  Kensington.  9th,  preached  at  North  Hamp- 
ton, with  freedom  and  plainness.  12th,  met  at  the  annual 
meeting  of  the  New  Hampshire  Christian  Benevolent  So- 
ciety, at  Stratham,  and  14th,  and  15th,  attended  the  an- 
33 


386  LIFE   OF   ELDER   MARK    FERNALD. 

nual  session  of  the  Rockingham  conference.  On  the  20th, 
I  left  home  very  reluctantly,  as  my  two  brothers  were 
very  sick,  but  engagements  called  me  away.  I  attended 
the  annual  session  of  the  Strafford  conference  at  Wolf- 
borough,  and  meetings  in  connection  with  it,  which  were 
good  and  profitable.  23d,  went  to  Tuftonborough,  and 
found  Zion  in  a  low  state ;  after  holding  a  few  meetings 
and  visiting  largely,  I  returned  home  on  the  26th  On 
the  27th,  at  thirty  minutes  past  seven  o'clock  in  the  morn- 
ing, my  brother  Joshua  died,  aged  sixty-eight  years.  That 
was  the  first  death  that  had  occurred  in  a  family  of  five 
children,  for  fifty-six  years.  Joshua  was  a  Christian. 
Brother  Payne  preached  at  his  burial  on  the  28th. 

October  12th,  my  brother  Peletiah,  being  distressingly 
sick,  I  spent  much  of  the  time  with  him.  He  died  on  the 
12th,  at  forty-five  minutes  past  eleven  o'clock,  calm,  and 
desiring  to  go.  He  was  seventy-eight  years  of  age  ;  had 
professed  conversion  forty-two  years  ;  was  deacon  of  the 
church  forty  years,  and  its  clerk  thirty-four  years. 

On  the  14th,  Elder  Payne  preached  at  his  burial.  The 
Free-will  Baptist  minister,  and  a  Congregational  minister, 
from  Wells,  being  in  town  on  an  exchange,  took  part  on 
the  occasion. 

20th,  went  to  Ogunquit,  and  preached  at  the  burial  of 
brother  Charles  Weare,  aged  forty-six,  and  his  mother-in- 
law,  sister  Sarah  Littlefield,  aged  seventy-eight  years. 
Both  were  conveyed  in  the  same  procession  to  the  same 
grave  yard.  It  was  a  solemn  occasion.  From  the  24th 
to  the  31st,  I  was  in  New  Hampshire,  during  which  time 
I  attended  a  protracted  meeting  with  brother  William  H. 
Nason,  in  Wolf  borough,  in  which  we  saw  some  awakening, 


LIFE   OF   ELDER  MARK    FERNALD.  387 

and  some  came  forward  for  prayers.  The  meetings  were 
followed  by  conversions. 

November  1st,  returned  home,  where  I  labored  as  usual, 
holding  meetings  day  and  evening.  On  the  30th,  to 
Newton,  to  attend  a  protracted  meeting.  Saw  some  of 
the  Lord's  dealings,  and  some  of  his  love  manifested  during 
the  month,  but  longed  greatly  to  see  my  brethren  arise 
and  become  more  engaged  for  God  and  their  own  welfare. 

December  3d,  went  to  Newbury  port,  to  attend  an  extra 
session  of  the  Rockingham  conference.  Returned  home  ; 
found  a  state  of  idleness  still  in  the  church,  but  labored  to 
the  end  of  the  month,  hoping  to  see  a  rising  in  Zion. 
Sometimes  we  saw  some  indications  of  good.  On  the  26th, 
our  friends  made  us  a  visit  and  a  donation.  We  sung, 
conversed,  and  prayed,  and  separated  in  love.  I  did 
what  I  could  to  advance  God's  cause ;  but  as  the  year 
closed,  felt  I  had  been  very  unprofitable. 


S88  LIFE   OF   ELDER  MARK    FERNALD. 


CHAPTER  XXIII. 

REVIVAL  AT  KITTERY HIS  CHILDREN  SHARE  IN  THE  WORK 

DEATH  OF  ELDER  SHAW ATTACKED  WITH  DISEASE 

CEASES  TO  KEEP  HIS  JOURNAL — BROTHER  PAYNE'S  CON- 
CLUDING REMARKS LAST  REMARKS DEATH — BURIAL 

FUNERAL  EXERCISES — LETTER  OF  CONDOLENCE  TO  THE 

FAMILY. 

1850.  January  4th,  while  visitmg,  the  old  bone  of 
contention,  that  the  church  under  my  care,  and  of  which  I 
had  been  a  member  forty-two  years,  was  gathered  a  Free- 
will Baptist  church,  &c.,  was  brought  up,  as  it  had  been 
many  times  before,  when  they  had  a  new  minister,  and  that 
was  about  every  two  years.  The  statements  they  made 
were  wilful,  false  statements,  and  disgusting  to  me  ;  but  I 
could  vindicate  the  truth.  On  the  8th,  B.  Shaw  lectured 
on  slavery,  in  the  hall  we  occupied.  13th,  preached  at 
the  Foreside,  and  had  good  freedom.  15th,  preached  at 
York,  at  the  burial  of  Betsey  Moore,  whose  death  was 
occasioned  by  falHng  into  the  fire,  or  by  a  fit,  which  caused 
her  to  fall. 

Having  completed  our  new  chapel,  which  cost  upward 
of  fourteen  hundred  dollars,  we  met  on  the  26th,  to  dedicate 
it  for  the  worship  of  God.     The  house  was  filled  with  peo- 


LIFE   OP   ELDER  MARK   FERNALD.  389 

pie.  Eight  preachers  attended.  Brother  Payne  preached 
from  "  worship  God."  I  dedicated  the  house  by  prayer. 
It  was  an  interesting  day.  In  the  afternoon,  forty  pews 
out  of  fifty-four  were  sold  for  over  eleven  hundred  dollars. 
On  the  27th,  brother  A.  W.  Reed  preached  for  us. 

February  1st,  had  a  good  meeting,  and  felt  somewhat 
encouraged.  2d,  made  choice  of  two  brethren  for  deacons. 
12th,  Elder  Payne  preached  at  our  chapel,  with  freedom. 
I  attended  several  burials,  and  visited  many  sick,  and 
others  afflicted.     0  Lord,  revive  thy  work. 

I  labored  in  Kittery,  until  the  29th  of  March,  when  I 
took  brother  Payne  in  my  carriage,  to  attend  a  protracted 
meeting  with  brethren  J.  Boothby  and  H.  Frost.  The 
traveling  was  bad,  and  weather  cold.  Brother  Payne 
preached  in  the  afternoon.  His  effort  in  preaching  near  a 
hot  stove,  and  the  cold  he  took,  affected  his  throat.  I 
preached  in  the  evening,  and  got  my  throat  out  of  order 
too.  Nothing  special  was  accomplished.  On  the  morning 
of  the  30th,  we  both  returned  home  to  Kittery. 

Our  journey  and  labor  appeared  lost  to  us  temporally 
and  spiritually.  How  little  people  realize  the  fatigue  and 
labor  of  preachers.  On  the  31st,  attended  the  seamen's 
prayer  meeting.  Prejudice  had  raised  objections  to  the 
Seamen's  Friend  Society.  I  told  them  some  would  stum- 
ble at  a  mote  and  swallow  a  beam.  They  voted  twenty 
dollars  of  the  funds  to  my  disposal,  which  I  sent  to  New 
York,  to  the  parent  Society. 

April  4th,  had  a  violent  gale.     Captain  Samuel  Tuck- 

erman,  of  Portsmouth,  was  wrecked,  vessel  and  crew  lost. 

Two  of  his  sons  were  with  him.     His  body  was  the  only 

one  found.     He  was  a  Christian.     Some  revival.     On  the 
33* 


390  LIFE   OF   ELDER  MARK   FBRNALD. 

21st,  brethren  Benjamin  Murgridge  and  Robert  G.  Saf- 
ford  were  set  apart  as  deacons. 

May  19th,  preached  at  Hampton  Falls,  New  Hampshire, 
and  hope  some  good  was  done.  20th,  to  Salisbury  Point, 
and  found  the  church  low.  They  had  been  injured  by 
some  ministers  who  did  not  preach  right^  but  had  then  a 
new  pastor.  Attended  the  annual  session  of  the  New 
Endand  Christian  Convention,  which  was  held  at  Newbu- 
ryport,  commencing  on  the  21st.  It  was  a  good  season. 
Two  preachers  from  Ohio  met  with  us. 

June  3d,  went  to  Rochester,  New  Hampshire,  and  4th, 
to  Wolfborough,  and  heard  Elder  D.  P.  Pike  preach  in 
the  evening.  5th,  the  New  Hampshire  Christian  confer- 
ence commenced  its  session.  Brother  Payne  gave  the 
opening  address,  in  which  he  presented  the  basis  of  our 
union,  the  perpetuity  of  our  union,  and  the  effects  of  our 
union.  He  advocated  the  demands  of  a  College  among 
us.  I  said  during  the  session,  that  I  had  done  a  good 
deal  with  my  limited  education,  and  they  knew  it,  but  I 
had  no  doubt  I  could  have  done  a  great  deal  more  if  I  had 
had  an  education  ;  a  good,  thorough,  sound  education.  I 
did  not  want  a  school  to  make  ministers^  but  one  to  make 
men^  and  let  God  take  the  men  and  make  mhiisters  of 
them.  The  session  was  very  harmonious  and  pleasant. 
A  revival  of  religion  commenced  in  the  meetings.  On 
the  9  th,  brother  N.  Piper  and  myself  preached  at  Tuf ton- 
borough.  11th,  went  to  Sanford,  Maine,  and  attended  the 
York  and  Cumberland  conference,  and  the  dedication  of  a 
new  chapel,  on  which  occasion  brother  Pike  preached 
freely,  and  I  prayed  fervently.  On  the  afternoon  of  the 
12th,  I  preached.     The  prospects  were  good.     I  returned 


LIFE   OP  ELDER  MARK    FERNALD.  391 

home,  and  on  the  23d,  brother  D.  Wiggin  preached  to  us. 

July  4th,  I  took  a  sea- shore  ride  several  miles,  with 
other  friends.  18th,  attended  at  the  installation  of  brother 
A.  W.  Fisk  over  the  Congregational  church  and  society. 
The  occasion  was  interesting.  21st,  to  York,  and  preached 
twice  ;  thence  to  the  east  of  Kittery,  and  preached  again. 
2od,  was  at  the  burial  of  Charles  William,  son  of  captain 
Joseph  Phillips.  His  death  was  a  solemn  event,  and 
deeply  afflictive  to  his  parents  and  family. 

August  11th,  preached  at  Newburyport,  Massachusetts, 
on  exchange  with  brother  Pike.  Returned  home,  and  on 
the  13th,  attended  the  burial  of  sister  Phebe,  wife  of 
brother  Daniel  Fernald.  I  baptized  them  both,  many 
years  before.  26th,  started  on  a  journey  into  New  Hamp- 
shire, to  visit  old  friends,  and  preach  Christ  to  the  people. 

September  3d,  returned  home,  thankful  to  my  heavenly 
Father,  and  His  Son,  Christ  Jesus.  Attended  the  funeral 
of  a  pleasant  Sabbath  school  scholar.  On  the  12th,  I 
went  to  Hampton  Falls,  New  Hampshire,  and  to  Salisbury 
Point  on  the  13th,  where  the  Rockingham  conference  held 
its  session.  Three  ministers  left.  Their  dismission  was 
granted  without  asking  questions.  We  had  become  tired 
of  unstable  members.  Elder  Timothy  Cole,  who  had  left 
us,  came  back  again,  to  his  and  our  joy,  making  up  our 


The  meetings  were  continued  over  the  Sabbath,  and 
were  good.  I  returned  home  on  the  14th,  and  found  cap- 
tain William  Tuckerman,  of  Portsmouth,  was  drowned  by 
falling  overboard  from  his  p'acket,  while  endeavoring  to 
save  a  boy's  cap.  He  was  the  father  of  Elder  Oliver  P. 
Tuckerman.     An  excellent  man  and  a  Christian.     16th, 


392  LIFE   OF   ELDER  MARK  FERNALD. 

bj  urgent  request,  I  met  with  the  Sons  of  Temperance, 
and,  with  others,  addressed  them.  20th,  preached  at  the 
burial  of  sister  Polly  Murgridge,  an  afflicted  widow,  and 
long  a  member  of  our  church.  29th,  preached  at  the 
Foreside.  Brother  D.  Wiggin  preached  for  me.  I  longed 
to  see  a  coming  up  in  the  church. 

October  3d,  spoke  to  the  Cadets  of  Temperance.  On 
the  20th,  preached  once  for  brother  Payne.  In  the  eve- 
ning, at  our  chapel,  Daniel  P.  Hutchins  and  Ehzabeth 
Jane,  my  only  child,  were  united  in  marriage,  after  which, 
I  spoke  on  the  subject  of  matrimony.  In  company  with 
Elder  Henry  Frost,  made  a  tour  in  New  Hampshire,  and 
saw  some  good. 

Returned  home,  and  on  the  12th  of  November,  I  went 
to  Newburyport,  Massachusetts,  and  met  the  Eastern 
Christian  Publishing  Association.  Being  dissatisfied  with 
our  transfer  of  the  Herald  to  Albany,  New  York,  v/e  took 
measures  to  have  it  again  pubhshed  in  New  England. 
Returned  to  Kittery.  On  the  19th,  commenced  a  pro- 
tracted meeting.  During  the  meeting  we  had  the  assist- 
ance of  brethren  D.  P.  Pike,  W.  H.  Ireland,  A.  W.  Fisk, 
and  G.  M.  Payne.  Our  meeting  for  sometime  previous 
had  been  well  attended,  and  solemn.  In  the  forenoon  of 
the  22d,  my  daughter,  and  others,  requested  prayers. 
After  two  had  prayed,  I  felt  a  duty  to  perform,  which  was 
very  crossing ;  but  I  attended  to  it.  It  was,  to  request 
my  two  sons-in-law  to  come  forward  and  kneel  with  me. 
They  came,  and  my  daughter  also,  which  gave  victory  to 
the  meeting.  At  evening,  eight  came  forward  and  bowed 
to  Christ.  Some  found  peace  in  believing.  From  these 
meetings  the  work  of  revival  increased,  with  deep  mourn- 


LIFE   OF   ELDER   MARK    FERNALD.  393 

ing  and  humble  weeping.  Among  the  number  who  came 
out  on  the  Lord's  side,  were  many  fine  moral  young  men. 
In  December,  the  good  work  gradually  progressed.  On 
the  12th,  Elder  Julius  C.  Blodgett,  by  impression,  came 
to  see  us,  and  labored  very  profitably.  On  the  22d,  I 
had  an  uncommonly  interesting  day.  After  preaching 
once,  we  repaired  to  the  water,  and  I  baptized 
seven,  among  whom  was  my  only  child,  her  husband,  two 
cousins,  and  my  wife's  only  son.  To  the  close  of  the 
month,  we  held  meetings  nearly  every  afternoon  or  eve- 
ning. Brother  Payne  frequently  came  to  our  aid  evenings, 
and  the  meetings  closed  the  last  day  of  the  year  by 
preaching  at  our  chapel. 

1851.  January  3d,  stormy  and  boisterous.  The  work 
seemed  to  decline.  While  we  had  some  additions  to  our 
church,  two  worthy  members  died,  sisters  Dorothy  Perkins, 
and  Betsey  Todd. 

On  the  15th,  our  friends  made  me  a  donation  visit. 
After  singing,  praying,  and  an  address  by  myself,  they 
retired,  leaving  thirty  dollars  in  cash,  and  about  five  dol- 
lars in  other  articles,  to  which  they  added  afterward.  20th, 
seventeen  came  to  my  house  as  enquirers.  26th,  I  bap- 
tized nine,  in  the  short  space  of  seven  minutes.  May  the 
Lord  preserve  them,  to  his  heavenly  kingdom.  How  de- 
lightful to  see  the  youth  commence  the  service  of  the 
Lord. 

February  17th,  I  went  to  Newburyport  to  assist  brother 
Pike  in  a  revival.  19th,  to  Rye,  to  aid  brother  Ireland  in 
a  protracted  meeting,  but  the  weather  was  so  unfavorable 
that  we  held  but  a  few  meetings. 

March   9th,   closed  my   sixty-seventh  year.     Several 


394  LIFE    OF   ELDER  MARK    PERNALD. 

"were  seeking  the  Lord.  I  felt  that  my  hfe  had  been  too 
unprofitable  to  the  cause  of  God,  and  although  my  health 
and  strength  were  unusual  to  a  person  of  my  years,  yet 
I  must  soon  fail. 

April  1st,  I  attended  our  Society's  annual  meeting,  and 
informed  the  meeting  that  I  had  received  less  than 
seventy-five  dollars,  aside  from  presents.  23d,  a  mem- 
ber of  our  church,  sister  Aphiah  Weeks,  was  brought 
from  Elliot,  dead. 

May  6th,  preached  in  New  Market.  7th,  received  the 
melancholy  news  of  the  death  of  Elder  Elijah  Shaw.  He 
died  at  Fall  River,  Massachusetts,  on  the  5th,  aged  fifty- 
eight  years  ;  had  been  a  preacher  about  forty  years,  and 
■was  a  man  of  great  worth.  He,  with  myself,  were  the 
first  in  getting  up  the  New  Hampshire  Christian  Benevo- 
lent Society.  I  attended  the  New  England  Convention  at 
Taunton,  Massachusetts.  The  session  was  very  harmoni- 
ous. Elder  A.  Gr.  Morton  preached  with  reference  to  the 
death  of  brother  Shaw.  I  remained  over  the  Sabbath,  and 
preached  three  times.  Visted  New  Bedford  ;  preached  to 
the  seamen  at  the  Bethel,  and  with  brother  Morton's  and 
Taylor's  Societies.  On  the  29th,  I  returned  to  New- 
buryport.  On  the  30th,  arrived  home.  I  found  my  ex- 
penses eleven  dollars  more  than  my  receipts.  Better  so 
than  broken  limbs,  yet  the  Lord  may  bring  a  bill  against 
neglectors, 

June  4th,  went  to  Kensington,  New  Hampshire,  and 
attended  the  New  Hampshire  conference.  That  session 
was  good  and  profitable,  like  our  sessions  in  our  first  days. 
22d,  I  preached  in  Portland,  at  the  Temple  street  house  of 
worship.     The  church  was  in  a  tried   state.     Returned 


LIFE   OP   ELDER   MARK    FERNALD.  395 

home.     On  the  29th,  baptized  two  lads  of  promising  hab- 
its, George  Todd  and  Mark  Colbj  Fernald. 

July  4th,  being  stormy,  the  5th  was  set  apart  for  cele- 
bration. The  Sons  of  Temperance,  and  Cadets  of  Tem- 
perance, with  a  brass  band,  escorted  the  Sunday  school 
to  a  field,  where  the  services  were  performed.  11th,  at- 
tended a  burial  at  York  ;  and  the  widow's  sorrows  at  her 
inability  to  reward  me,  was  reward  enough.  13th,  ex- 
changed services  with  brother  Payne. 

August  3d,  preached  at  Hampton,  New  Hampshire.  In 
that  town  I  had  labored  much  in  previous  years,  and  so 
had  many  of  my  brethren  in  the  ministry,  but  another 
people  had  now  obtained  the  ground.  I  returned  home  on 
the  4th,  and  attended  the  burial  of  Mr.  Nathaniel  Beal, 
aged  eighty-four.  10th,  exchanged  with  brother  Holmes, 
at  Portsmouth.  During  the  first  of  September  our  meet- 
ings were  full  and  attentive  on  the  Sabbath. 

10th,  went  to  Stratham,  and  attended  the  annual  meet- 
ing of  the  New  Hampshire  Christian  Benevolent  Society. 
In  the  afternoon  I  started  for  Haverhill,  Massachusetts,  to 
attend  the  Rockingham  conference,  which  was  to  be  holden 
there,  commencing  on  the  12th.  I  proceeded  as  far  as 
Kensington.  The  heat  was  intense,  and  the  sun  blazing  in 
my  face,  greatly  injured  me.  I  had  overdone  myself  before 
leaving  home,  and  taken  some  cold.  I  was  seized  with  a 
deep-seated  pain  and  soreness  in  my  left  thigh,  and  a  high 
fever.  Had  no  rest  during  the  night.  Hoping  to  prevent 
a  fever,  I  sweat  almost  to  suffocation.  On  the  morning  of 
the  11th,  I  saw  my  only  chance  was  to  get  home,  if  possi- 
ble. Accordingly,  I  gave  up  the  idea  of  attending  the 
conference,  and  gave  my  papers  to  Elder  Blodgett.     That 


396  LIFE   OF   ELDEK  MARK   FERNALD. 

was  the  first  session  of  the  Rockingham  Christian  confer- 
ence I  had  failed  of  attending,  since  its  organization.  At 
2  o'clock,  I  started  for  home.  Pulse  at  98.  Reached 
home  in  the  evening,  and  was  confined  to  the  house  until 
the  21st,  when  I  got  to  meeting,  and  heard  brother  I.  Ha- 
ley preach.  I  soon  conquered  the  fever.  The  disap- 
pointment of  performing  mj  journey,  and  meeting  with  my 
ministering  brethren  in  conference,  was  trying  ;  yet  I 
hoped  all  things  would  work  together  for  good.  But  I  had 
the  great  favor  of  being  at  home,  and  having  the  attention 
of  an  affectionate  wife,  which  is  second  only  to  the  grace 
of  God  in  the  heart.  On  the  28th,  I  preached  twice  to 
full  meetings,  and  at  evening  spoke  to  many  sea-faring  men 
at  the  Bethel  meeting,  which  was  fatiguing  to  the  flesh, 
but  reviving  to  the  spirit,  as  I  remained  infirm. 

October  5th,  I  preached  thrice,  one  being  in  reference 
to  ten  persons  who  we  had  reason  to  believe  were  lost  at 
sea  in  April.  I  also  broke  bread  to  about  fifty  church 
members. 

On  the  7th,  feeling  that  I  had  considerably  recovered, 
started  on  a  journey  to  New  Hampshire.  Preached  at 
Tuftonborough  on  the  9th,  and  remained  a  few  days,  vis- 
iting what  I  could,  and  preached  three  times.  Found  the 
state  of  Christianity  very  low.  Forty  years  had  expired 
since  I  had  first  preached  in  that  region,  and  never  had  I 
failed  of  making  them  from  one  to  four  preaching  visits 
annually.  I  preached  twice  in  Wolf  borough,  and  returned 
home  on  the  17th.  The  19th  being  Sabbath,  and  stormy, 
I  was  detained  at  the  Foresido  Village.  My  health  being 
very  poor  I  could  do  but  little.  Visited  a  iittle.  Preached 
twice  -  on  the  26th,  but  with  labor. 


LIFE   OF  ELDER   MARK   FERNALD.  397 

November  2d,  I  spoke  once  at  the  chapel,  and  retired. 
On  the  9th,  anxiety  led  me  to  be  carried  to  the  chapel  in 
the  afternoon,  but  being  so  feeble,  I  spoke  short  from  Luke 
xii :  37  ;  "Blessed  are  those  servants,  whom  the  Lord,  when 
He  Cometh,  shall  find  watching."  The  people  were  very 
anxious  for  my  recovery.  My  changed  appearance  to  a 
pale  yellow,  made  many  hearts  feel,  and  tears  flow.  I 
could  do  no  more,  but  retired  to  confinement  at  home. 

Doctors  Mark  F.  Wentworth,  and  King  visited  me 
often,  gave  their  advice,  and  did  all  they  could.  My 
complaints  were  several  and  complex.  Tedious  days  and 
wearisome  nights  were  appointed  unto  me.  November 
25th,  I  rested  better,  much  less  pain,  yet  the  stomach  and 
liver  remained  about  the  same.  No  hungering  for  food  ; 
ate  but  very  little  for  weeks. 

These  were  the  last  words  we  find  in  his  Journal.  Soon 
after,  a  distinguished  physician  was  called,  who  directed 
powerful  vomiting.  At  times  his  symptoms  appeared  more 
favorable,  and  then  again  discouraging.  His  friends  and 
physicians  all  the  while  indulged  the  hope  of  his  recovery. 
One  morning  he  was  taken  with  profuse  bleeding  at  the 
nose,  which  continued  for  several  hours,  and  then  only 
stayed  by  means  of  a  stopple.  His  sufferings  were  great 
through  the  whole  of  his  sickness  ;  but  his  Christianity  and 
heroic  disposition  enabled  him  to  bear  patiently  all  his 
sufferings,  and  even  to  speak  with  cheerfulness.  His  dif- 
ficulties were  such  that  he  was  obliged  to  sit  in  his  chair 
most  of  the  time.  During  his  last  days  he  could  not  He  at 
all.     Hopes  were  entertained  of  his  recovery  until  the 

morning  of  December  29th,  when  it  became  evident  that 
34 


398  LIFE   OF   ELDER  MARK   FERNALD. 

he  could  not  survive  many  hours.  It  was  with  difficulty 
he  could  speak  for  several  days.  Several  times,  when 
asked  the  state  of  his  mind,  he  remarked,  "  I  am  distressed 
severely  in  body,  but  my  mind  is  at  peace.  I  have  done 
what  I  could.  I  have  done  all  I  could,  and  had  I  my  life  to 
live  over  again,  I  don't  expect  I  should  do  any  better,  or 
any  more.  With  the  knowledge  I  have  I  might  do  differ- 
ently, but  doubt  whether  it  would  be  any  better." 

On  the  morning  of  the  29th,  brethren  Henry  Frost  and 
Simeon  Swett  being  pi*esent,  he  was  asked  if  he  would 
like  to  have  brother  Frost  pray.  He  answered,  "I  can't  hear 
him.  Pray  for  the  church.  Take  care  of  the  church." 
At  evening,  his  wife  enquired  whether  he  had  rather  live 
or  go  to  Heaven.  He  rephed,  "  Be  well,  live  and  preach  ; 
but  if  I  can't  preach,  die  and  go  to  Heaven."  His  com- 
posure was  such,  that  seeing  an  anxiety  on  her  counte- 
nance, and  knowing  she  did  not  know  his  circumstances 
or  business  fully,  he  said,  "  you  will  find  all  straight."  A 
short  time  before  he  expired,  he  beckoned  her  to  him,  and 
preached  a  short  sermon.  He  then  said,  "  let  me  die." 
She  asked  him  who  he  wished  should  attend  his  burial. 
He  said,  "  You  will  not  be  able  to  wait  to  send  at  a  dis- 
tance, (having  in  his  mind,  no  doubt.  Elder  Howe,  of  New 
Bedford,  as  he  was  a  favorite  of  his  ;)  have  Brother  Payne 
or  Pike."  On  Tuesday  evening,  at  twenty  minutes  past 
eleven  o'clock,  this  venerable  and  worthy  man  of  God,  fell 
asleep  in  Jesus. 


BURIAL  OF  ELDER  FERNALD. 


The  funeral  services  took  place  on  Friday,  January  2d, 
1852.  A  large  concourse  of  people  assembled  at  the 
Christian  meeting  house  in  Kittery,  while  the  mourners 
and  friends  assembled  at  his  late  residence,  where  prayer 
was  offered  by  one  of  the  co-laborers  of  the  deceased — 
Elder  Noah  Piper,  of  Stratham. 

A  mourning  procession  then  formed,  and  with  solemn 
tread  proceeded  to  the  meeting  house. 

ORDER   OF   EXERCISES   AT   THE   CHAPEL. 

1.  Voluntary  by  the  Choir. 

2.  Reading  of  the  Scriptures  by  Elder  J.  C.  Blodgett. 

3.  Hymn  by  Elder  David  Knowlton, 

4.  Prayer  by  Elder  Daniel  P.  Pike. 

5.  Hymn  by  Elder  Thomas  Holmes. 

6.  Funeral  Address  by  Elder  George  Moore  Payne. 

Text :  2  Kings  ii :  12. 

7.  Voluntary  by  the  Choir. 

8.  Concluding  prayer  by  Elder  S.  Swett. 

The  friends  then  followed  the  corpse  to  its  place  of  re- 
pose, there  to  await  the  Archangel's  announcement  of  the 
resurrection  morning,  when  "  Mortality  will  be  swallowed 
up  of  life." 


400  BURIAL   OF  ELDER  MARK   FERNALD. 

After  consigning  our  brother's  remains  to  the  grave,  the 
undersigned,  ministers,  unanimously  passed  the  following 
preamble  and  resolution,  viz  : 

Whereas,  The  Christian  Connection,  and  Christian 
Church  in  Kittery,  have,  by  the  death  of  Elder  Mark 
Pernald,  been  called  to  part  with  a  long  tried  and  faithful 
minister ;  therefore, 

Mesolved,  That  we,  the  undersigned,  deeply  sympathize 
with  the  afflicted  family  and  church,  and  pledge  our  pray- 
erful and  willing  co-operation,  until  the  beloved  brethren 
and  sisters  in  this  place  shall  be  again  favored  with  the 
stated  labors  of  a  faithful  pastor  of  their  choice. 

Noah  Piper, 
William  H.  Ireland, 
George  M.  Payne, 
Simeon   Swett, 
Joshua  Goodwin, 
Daniel  P.  Pike, 
Julius  C.  Blodgett, 
Thomas  Holmes, 
David  Knowlton. 

Elders  Piper  and  Holmes  were  appointed  to  write  a 
letter  of  condolence  to  the  afflicted  family. 


LETTER  OF  CONDOLENCE. 


Deeply  Afflicted  Friends  : 

With  hearts  overcharged  with  sorrow,  we  proceed  to 
discharge  the  service  to  which  we  were  chosen  by  our  fel- 
low-laborers in  the  gospel,  who  were  present  at  the  inter- 
ment of  our  beloved  brother,  Elder  Mark  Fernald.  In 
that  sad  event,  which  has  at  once  deprived  you  of  a  hus- 
band and  father,  the  church  of  a  faithful  and  efficient  min- 
ister, and  us  of  a  brother  beloved — we  recognize  both  the 
severity  and  goodness  of  God. 

To  us,  who  are  left  to  mourn  his  departure,  the  stroke 
is  truly  severe.  To  him,  doubtless,  it  is  an  expression 
of  benevolent  regard,  unequaled  in  the  history  of  his  ex- 
istence. "  Precious  in  the  sight  of  the  Lord  is  the  death 
of  his  saints."  There  are  many  circumstances  that  render 
the  demise  of  our  brother  painfully  afflictive  to  us  all ;  still 
more,  that  render  it  especially  so  to  you. 

To  us  he  was  a  brother  in  Christ,  a  fellow-laborer  in  a 

common  cause — that  cause  the  most  sacred  known  to  human 

hearts,  binding  human  sympathies  with  love  divine — the 

purest,  strongest  tie  known  to  intelligences  in  Heaven  or 

on  earth.     As  a  brother,  his  worth  was  inestimable.     To 
34* 


402  LETTER   OF   CONDOLENCE. 

be  deprived  of  his  fraternal  sympathy  and  counsel,  so 
highly  valued  by  us,  so  cheerfully  and  readily  afforded  by 
him,  is  an  event  most  deeply  to  be  deplored. 

As  a  fellow-laborer  in  the  vineyard  of  the  Lord,  his  ac- 
tivity was  unsurpassed.  A  laborer  he  truly  was.  He 
shunned  no  burdens,  shrunk  from  no  responsibihty,  avoided 
no  duty  by  which  the  cause  of  truth,  of  humanity,  of  God, 
could  be  advanced.  Ever  at  his  post  as  a  watchman  on 
Zion's  battlements,  he  allowed  no  enemy  to  approach 
without  sounding  the  alarm ;  no  foe  to  enter  except  him- 
self should  first  be  vanquished.  Keen  sighted,  strong 
minded,  of  sound  judgment,  true  hearted — he  was  emi- 
nently qualified  for  the  responsibilities  of  his  high  and  holy 
calling.  In  conference,  in  his  pulpit  at  home,  as  an  Evan- 
gelist abroad,  in  the  social  meeting,  and  as  a  citizen,  he 
was  the  same  unflinching,  uncompromising,  unsparing  la- 
borer, always  useful,  everywhere  esteemed. 

As  his  philanthropy  and"  Christian  benevolence  were  as 
broad  as  the  race,  so  his  labors  of  love  knew  no  limit  but 
the  limit  of  his  ability.  Every  cause  of  true  benevo- 
lence found  in  him  a  friend  and  a  supporter.  No  sordid 
motives  prompted,  no  dishonorable  means  were  em- 
ployed in  executing  his  purposes.  Who  would  not  lament 
the  loss  of  such  a  co-worker  ?  "  Thousands  bewail  a  hero, 
and  a  nation  mourneth  for  its  king,  but  the  whole  universe 
lamenteth  the  loss  of  a  man  of  prayer." 

Such  was  Elder  Mark  Fernald  to  us ;  but,  dear  friends, 
he  was  more  than  all  this  to  you  ;  more  than  a  brother — a 
husband,  a  father  ;  more  than  a  fellow-laborer — a  bosom, 
a  household  companion.  We  need  not,  nay,  we  cannot 
describe  your  loss.     "  The  heart  knoweth  its  own  bitter- 


LETTER   OF   CONDOLENCE.  403 

ness."  Each  lonely  night  spent  in  wakefulness  and  tears; 
each  solitary  meal  partaken  in  silent  grief ;  every  object 
around  you,  as  it  exhibits  his  neatness  and  carefulness ; 
all  things  indeed,  combine  to  fill  to  overflowing  the  cup 
of  your  affliction.  In  all  this  we  feel  most  deeply  to  sym- 
pathize with  you.  As  we  have  partaken  of  the  benefits  of 
his  life,  we  esteem  it  a  favor  to  drink  with  you  of  the  cup 
of  your  sorrow. 

But  let  us  pause.  Hear  you  not  tbe  voice  of  inspira- 
tion ?  "  Fear  not  thou,  for  I  am  with  thee  ;  be  not  dis- 
mayed, for  I  am  thy  God,  I  will  strengthen  thee,  yea,  I  will 
help  thee  ;  yea,  I  will  uphold  thee  by  the  right  hand  of 
my  righteousness.'' 

The  hand  of  "  Our  Father"  never  presented  to  mortal 
lips  a  cup  of  unmingled  bitterness.  If  "  there  is  a  poison 
drop  in  man's  purest  cup,"  there  is  also  a  large  admixture 
of  the  nectar  of  divine  compassion  in  the  most  o'erflowing 
goblet  of  human  woe.  Though  unbelief  may  say  with 
Jacob,  "  all  these  things  are  against  me,"  yet, 

'•  God  is  his  own  interpreter, 
And  He  will  make  ii  plain.-' 

His  plans  that  exhibit  the  greatest  Wisdom,  and  ultimately 
work  out  the  most  beneficial  results,  both  to  ourselves  and 
others,  may,  in  the  detail  of  their  events,  appear  to  us  most 
extraordinary,  inexplicable,  and  even  cruel.  In  such  cases 
a  contemplation  of  the  infinite  Goodness  and  Wisdom  of 
the  great  Disposer  of  events,  may  afford  efficient  aid  to 
faith,  and  untold  consolation  to  those  who  are  passing 
through  the  "  deep  waters,"  and  "  fiery  trials"  of  life. 

How  inexpressibly  precious  are  the  promises  of  God  at 
such  times,  as  "the  Comforter  brings  them  to  remem- 


404  LETTER  OF  CONDOLENCE. 

brance."  How  sweet  and  consoling  the  thoughts  that  an 
unwavering  faith  in  those  promises  will  suggest.  They 
come  to  us  like  rays  of  divine  hght  when  clouds  and  thick 
darkness  surround  us,  like  golden  pearls  on  the  grief- 
beaten  shore  of  life's  ocean,  cast  up  by  the  surging  billows 
of  sorrow.  "  He  doeth  all  things  well,"  says  the  confiding 
soul ;  and  lifting  up  the  eye  of  faith,  though  suffused  with 
tears,  she  beholds  a  Father's  face  radiant  with  affection  and 
compassion.  Then  she  hears  his  sweet  voice  saying,  "For 
a  small  moment  have  I  forsaken  thee ;  but  with  great 
mercies  will  I  gather  thee.  In  a  little  wrath  I  hid  my 
face  from  thee  for  a  moment ;  but  with  everlasting  kind- 
ness will  I  have  mercy  on  thee,  saith  the  Lord,  thy  Re- 
deemer," and  she  wipes  away  her  tears  and  rephes,  "  In 
thy  favor  is  life."  "  Thy  loving  kindness  is  better  than 
life."  Surely,  to  the  soul  that  trusts  in  God  no  mere 
earthly  considerations  are  necessary  for  consolation. 

These  promises,  however,  precious  as  they  are,  afford 
but  one  of  several  sources  of  sweetest  consolation.  The 
hope  that  our  loss  is  his  unspeakable  gain ;  that  though 
"absent  from  the  body,"  and  from  us,  he  is  "present 
with  the  Lord,"  must  sweeten  the  bitterest  cup  of  affliction, 
and  atone,  in  a  measure,  for  the  severest  bereavement. 
How  it  extracts  from  the  heart  the  pain  of  separation,  to 
feel  that  the  dear  ones  who  have  left  us,  are  enjoying  so- 
ciety, and  receiving  affectionate  attentions  that  we  could 
not  afford  them. 

Remember,  also,  that  God's  design  in  this  dispensation 
has  not  been  your  affliction.  In  His  wisdom  He  has  seen 
it  necessary  to  change  the  field  of  His  servant's  labors. 
Seeing  him  ripe  for  reward,  and  qualified  for  a  higher 


LETTER    OF   CONDOLENCE.  405 

sphere  of  action,  He  has  released  him  from  fatigue,  pain, 

disease,  and  the  inconveniences  incident  to  mortality,  as 

well  as  the  fears,  anxieties  and  temptations  necessary  to  a 

state  of  probation,  and  said  to  him,  "  It  is  enough.     Come 

up  higher."     Doubtless  a  larger  as  well  as  more  desirable 

field  of  usefulness  has  been  prepared  for  him. 

"  With  sweet  submission,  all  as  one, 
Let 's  say,  '  Our  Father's  will  be  done.''  " 

Again.  Though  separation  is  painful,  re-union  is  sweet. 
Think  then  of  that  time  when  in  fairer  climes,  on  happier 
shores,  where  sweeter  music  charms  the  ear,  and  greater 
heights  of  excellence  constantly  invite  the  upward  flight  of 
happy  spirits,  you,  if  faithful  unto  death,  shall  unite  with 
him  in  "  work  and  worship  more  divine"  than  earth 
aifords. 

ISTor  will  the  separation  be  long.  "  Time  is  winging  us 
away."  A  few  more  gales  of  affliction,  a  few  more  waves 
of  sorrow,  a  few  more  throes  of  mortal  anguish,  and 
friendships  commenced  among  the  faithful  here,  will  be 
consummated  where  separations  shall  sunder  affection's 
ties  no  more.  Let  these  and  kindred  reflections  occupy 
your  thoughts,  and  may  the  loss  you  have  sustained  be 
forgotten  in  the  contemplation  of  his  inexpressible  gain, 
and  the  hope  of  re-union  ere  long,  cheer  and  encourage 
you  to  "  fight  the  good  fight  of  faith,"  and  "lay  hold  on 
eternal  life." 

With  many  prayers  for  your  consolation,  sanctification, 
and  final  salvation,  we  subscribe  ourselves, 

Your  affectionate  friends  and  brethren  in  Christ, 

Noah  Piper, 
Thomas  Holmes. 


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